East Knoxville nonprofit is partnering with UT to reduce food insecurity using AI-driven robots [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The nonprofit Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development, or SEEED, is developing an urban agriculture boot camp by using artificial intelligence technology and a farming robot.

The University of Tennessee and SEEED have partnered to bring a farming bot to East Knoxville. It’s a part of SEEED’s mission — to reduce urban poverty and help young people get ready to start their careers.

Stan Johnson, SEEED’s executive director, said Knoxville is one of many locations that face challenges with food deserts — areas where people are not able to access fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, or many other staples of typical diets. Typically, he said people can’t access these kinds of foods due to a lack of transportation.

“A lot …