How can AI support global food security in practice? In this episode, we speak with Marieke Meeske PhD researcher at Tilburg University’s Zero Hunger Lab, about how Natural Language Processing (NLP) is applied to food security analysis and policymaking.

We cover her review of 60+ NLP use cases, from early warning systems to understanding public perceptions around food sustainability. We also explore why most AI solutions in this space struggle to move beyond the research stage, and what this “implementation gap” means for real-world impact.

Finally, Marieke shares insights from her current work with the UN’s FAO, including the use of NLP to measure policy integration across climate, agriculture, and nutrition — helping identify gaps and misalignments in national food policies.