Unlocking New Possibilities The New Technologies for Ag
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES NTAE support enables the Foundation to ensure that CES has access to cutting-edge technology tools and information and to promote the adoption of these technologies. This grant year, the Foundation was particularly focused on AI. It organized an AI track that featured 12 workshops for the National Extension Technology Conference. Conference attendees were introduced to ExtensionBot, a national initiative that leverages machine learning and AI to amass data from the CES ecosystem and answer questions directly and accurately, “ExtensionBot is Here To Help” highlights how Oklahoma State University is using ExtensionBot— an artificial intelligence tool developed by the Extension Foundation and Eduworks Corporation. In the six months after ExtensionBot begin beta testing on April 1, 2024, 2,928 people at OSU Extension started conversations with the bot, which answered 5,242 questions and cited 6,535 fact sheets and other works for further reading and potential connection to Extension personnel.
Extension (NTAE) initiative drives innovation in Extension and creates meaningful impact in communities.
high-impact projects ranged from addressing environmental issues to supporting technology adoption to promoting rural and urban economic development. In 2023–2024, the first year of the UNH NTAE cycle, 21 teams received a total of about $740,000 in grants through a competitive process. These projects were led by CES faculty or staff embedded in local communities. Throughout the year, teams received comprehensive coaching and resources to enhance their work, team
NTAE is a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and with services provided by the Extension Foundation. The goal of NTAE is to incubate, accelerate, expand, and scale promising work that will increase the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in the communities it serves and provide and promote models that can be adopted or adapted by Extension projects and programs across the nation. NTAE also supports the development and dissemination of technologies that enhance CES’s capacity, including artificial intelligence (AI). From 2019–2023, the Extension Foundation received a subaward from Oklahoma State University to support a diverse range of NTAE work. In that period, 72 teams received funding, augmented with support and resources provided by the Foundation. These teams’
including half a million questions asked and answered in Ask Extension (Formerly Ask An Expert). This AI tool not only has gained widespread attention throughout CES, it is becoming a powerful tool to connect communities with their local Extension professionals and resources. Workshops also addressed data collection from Land-grant universities, education and training on best practices for AI use, and data governance. The AI keynote attracted over 400 attendees, while individual sessions drew over 350 participants.
The Foundation also hosted professional development events focused on AI, including an overview of the organization’s AI work. Connect — In addition, NTAE teams were encouraged to join Connect Extension, a social media platform that has become a valuable resource for the nearly 8,000 Extension professionals who have joined it. Through the platform, teams can share resources, participate in professional development, and collaborate with their colleagues in various subgroups.
dynamics, and overall impact. Catalysts (many of whom are
retired Extension directors) and Key Informants (experienced Extension leaders and subject matter experts) provided tailored guidance and support in eight critical areas: • emerging technologies • leadership and team development • innovation and skill building • marketing and communications • evaluation • digital engagement and publishing • partnerships and development • program design and educational technology
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2023-2024 YEARBOOK | EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE
EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE | 2023-2024 YEARBOOK
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