Tackling Global Food Security with AI at Iveagh House
DUBLIN, March 19, 2026 – Innovation and empathy took center stage today at Iveagh House as the next generation of Irish scientists presented solutions for a more sustainable world. Among the featured innovators was George Coll, a Transition Year student who represented St Joseph's at the prestigious Science for Development Showcase.
George’s project, "LeafSense: Using AI to Predict Plant Health," utilizes cutting-edge artificial intelligence and image recognition to detect plant diseases at their earliest stages. By providing a high-tech "early warning system," the project aims to help growers maintain healthy crops and support resource-efficient agricultural practices—innovations with profound potential for communities in the Global South. George’s project, stood out as a prime example of how modern technology can address critical issues in the Global South. By utilizing artificial intelligence and image recognition, LeafSense allows for the early detection of plant diseases. This breakthrough helps growers maintain healthy crops and promotes sustainable, resource-efficient agricultural practices—a vital tool for communities facing food security challenges.
A Meeting of Scientific Minds
A major highlight of the day occurred when George had the distinct honor of explaining his research to Dr. Tony Scott, the legendary co-founder of the Young Scientist exhibition.
Dr. Scott, who addressed the attendees, shared an inspiring perspective on the field:
“Science is a funny subject; you think you’ve learned all of it, but you haven’t. We’re only scraping the surface. And once you stop learning, you stop living.”
For George, engaging with a figure who has shaped Irish science for decades provided a "full circle" moment, bridging the competition's foundational history with modern AI applications.
A Platform for Change
The showcase, organized by Self Help Africa’s Development Education team in collaboration with Irish Aid, is an invitation-only event for projects with the potential to be implemented in the Global South. Eleven schools were represented at this Showcase.
Throughout the afternoon, George and his peers presented their research to a distinguished audience, including:
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NGO workers, academics, and scientists working in international development and climate change.
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Niall Tierney, Director of Global Programme and Global Citizen Education.
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Niamh de Loughry, CEO of Self Help Africa.
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Policymakers and guests from the education sector.
The event featured a diverse array of fascinating research, ranging from automated plant-watering systems to the winning project from King's Hospital, which addressed lead pollution in Zambia.
The Road Ahead
For students like George, the event was more than an exhibition; it was a professional networking hub where they conducted video interviews and discussed project insights with experts.
As the event closed following a celebratory lunch, the presence of students from St. Joseph's underscored the vital role Irish youth play in tackling global challenges through scientific discovery. The winner of the Science for Development Award at The Young Scientist receives a travel bursary sponsored by Irish Aid. This prize funds a student and their teacher to travel to one of Self Help Africa’s programme countries for a study visit, providing a unique opportunity to carry out field research and exchange ideas with local communities.
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