State politicians, University leadership, business owners, faculty, and project team members gathered to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the University of Florida GCREC. The event began with remarks from Dr. Jack Rechcigl, Professor and GCREC Director, who recognized the project’s significance to advancing agricultural research and practice. Afterward, attendees gathered for a groundbreaking for the school’s newest facility, the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture. Associate Center Director and Professor of Horticulture/Weed Science Dr. Nathan Boyd described how the project will “harness the power of AI to enhance productivity, sustainability, and the quality of life for farmers and rural communities.” Attendees also toured the current facilities to learn more about the school’s active research projects.

Slated to open in 2027, the 50,000 square-foot building will include state-of-the-art shop spaces for prototyping equipment and machinery, a large, flexible forum and gathering space for training and public events, as well as offices and open work areas. According to the GCREC, the CAAIA is envisioned as a place that “will unite leading faculty and technical expertise to promote collaboration among scientists across Florida, the United States, and the world to design, develop, test, and deploy novel AI-based solutions.”

The future Center will also serve as a venue to host hands-on training and extension programs for the state. The forum will accommodate small seminars as well as large presentations, and can open easily to an expansive covered porch. The project will convert a car-focused, office park-like site into a pedestrian-friendly campus, where other academic buildings will be connected via a vibrant pedestrian zone. The project is targeting Florida Green Building Coalition Gold certification (a LEED equivalent).

Project collaborators include Walter P Moore (Structural Engineer), Affiliated Engineers (MEP/FPT Engineers), NV5 (Civil Engineer / Landscape Architect), Siebein Associates (Acoustical Consultant), HKA (Code Consultant), Research Facilities Design (Laboratory Consultant), and Walbridge (Construction Manager).