The Center for Data Innovation recently interviewed Dr. Amaj Rahimi-Midani, CEO of Poseidon-AI, a Singapore-based company leveraging AI to drive sustainable solutions in the farming of aquatic organisms, known as aquaculture. Dr. Rahimi-Midani discussed how integrating AI into aquaculture not only ensures sustainable farming but benefits underserved rural communities worldwide.
David Kertai: What is Poseidon-AI?
Amaj Rahimi-Midani: We provide AI and data-driven solutions that help communities enhance climate resilience, optimize water management, and promote sustainable farming practices. Our camera-based sensor system actively monitors aquaculture environments, continuously collecting real-time data on water quality and ecosystem health. Using edge computing, our AI technology processes this data and delivers actionable insights through an intuitive dashboard, similar to an iPad, allowing users to efficiently maintain aquaculture health and ensure long-term sustainability.
Kertai: How does Poseidon-AI help improve aquaculture efficiency and reduce costs?
Rahimi-Midani: Our sensors continuously track water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and ammonia, which are critical indicators of fish health and habitat conditions. Using AI, we identify patterns and detect anomalies in real time, allowing early intervention to prevent disease outbreaks and reduce fish mortality.
Our AI-driven analytics go beyond simple monitoring. By analyzing real-time environmental data, we can optimize feeding schedules, calculate feed conversion ratios, and predict growth rates. This ensures that fish receive the right amount of food at the right time, reducing waste and cutting feeding costs by up to 20 percent. Additionally, our built-in cameras can analyze fish behavior, identifying signs of stress or illness and improving overall stock management. Overall, improving efficiency, yields, and promoting more sustainable farming practices.
Kertai: What makes Poseidon-AI user-friendly?
Rahimi-Midani: Accessibility and ease of use are core to Poseidon-AI’s design. Our sensors require no complex installation and can be deployed seamlessly in various environments, from indoor ponds to offshore fish farms, without the need for specialized technical knowledge.
One of our key initiatives is the Integrated Aquaculture System (IAS), which helps address food security challenges in landlocked and resource-limited communities. IAS units use recycled tanks to collect rainwater, creating a sustainable ecosystem where families can produce fish, shrimp, and vegetables with minimal resources. Our sensors collect data on water circulation, nutrient levels and growth conditions, ensuring that even those with limited aquaculture experience can maintain a productive and efficient system and make sustainable food production more accessible and scalable.
Kertai: How does Poseidon-AI function in rural areas with limited connectivity?
Rahimi-Midani: Poseidon-AI is specifically designed to operate in challenging environments where stable electricity and internet access are scarce. Our hardware integrates solar panels for energy independence and utilizes edge computing to process data locally. This allows continuous operation without requiring a constant Internet connection.
Understanding the unique challenges underserved communities face, we’ve also developed modules that are easy to use and maintain. To support users in rural areas, we provide hands-on training and technical assistance, ensuring they can operate and troubleshoot the system effectively. By addressing barriers such as environmental variability, affordability, and knowledge gaps through offline monitoring, durable sensors, and community-centered training programs, we make sustainable aquaculture viable regardless of location.
Kertai: Can you share examples of Poseidon-AI in action?
Rahimi-Midani: Our technology is making a tangible impact in communities worldwide. In Costa Rica, we’ve deployed solar-powered aquaculture systems that support indigenous and vulnerable populations by enabling sustainable fish and vegetable production. Through partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility, we provide affordable and sustainable aquaculture solutions that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By leveraging AI, we optimize water usage, monitor fish health, and ensure consistent production, helping these communities achieve long-term food security.
In Haiti, we’re working to introduce AI-driven aquaculture and clean water initiatives to combat poverty, food insecurity, and water scarcity. Given the country’s fragile socio-political climate, we are advocating for United Nations Security Council approval to implement these initiatives. Our proposed systems would incorporate solar-powered desalination and rainwater harvesting technologies, providing sustainable water sources while maximizing food production.
By merging AI technology with practical, sustainable solutions, Poseidon-AI is pioneering progress in aquaculture, protecting communities, and preserving the planet for future generations.
