Francisco Martin-Rayo: How AI Is Forecasting the Future of Food
Why does your avocado cost $3? And what does that have to do with climate change, cybersecurity, and geopolitical conflict? In this fascinating conversation, host Kristin King sits down with Francisco Martin-Rayo to connect dots most of us never see, revealing how our food system is far more fragile and interconnected than we realize.
Francisco's journey is unconventional: from studying radicalization in refugee camps in Yemen, Pakistan, and Somalia, to starting an NGO providing university scholarships, to now working at the intersection of AI, climate risk, and food security as CEO of Helios AI. But is the thread connecting it all? Solving complex, urgent problems that affect real people.
In this conversation, you'll explore:
Why we need to thank farmers more (and understand the razor-thin margins they survive on)
How climate disruptions, cyber-attacks, and supply chain vulnerabilities cascade through our food system
The privilege of food security, and what happens when it breaks down
Why AI and technology might offer hope for preventing food crises
The connection between conflict zones, water scarcity, and what's on your plate
Why gratitude and presence matter when we sit down to eat
This isn’t just about predicting prices, it’s about understanding the fragile systems that feed us, the people behind our food, and how we can build a more resilient future. Whether you’re concerned about climate change, fascinated by supply chains, or simply want to be more mindful about your meals, this conversation will change how you think about food.
