Lofgren Convenes Experts to Discuss AI’s Potential Impact on Agriculture & Water Conservation

August 28, 2026 Press Release SAN JOSÉ, CA — On Wednesday at San José State University, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, convened a roundtable of civic, academic, agricultural, and technology leaders to discuss the potential impacts artificial intelligence may have on agricultural productivity and water security. California’s 18th district, containing both Silicon Valley and the Salinas Valley, is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and agriculture, two of California’s defining economies. Some topics during the discussion included the obstacle of broadband deployment, automated weeding and harvesting technology already at work in strawberry and celery fields, predictive groundwater modeling that could address resource constraints, and expanding ag-tech engineering pathways for students in the area. “Congress needs to be well-informed and proactive when it comes to addressing artificial intelligence’s role in our agriculture sector,” said Rep. Lofgren. “As with other industries, this new technology presents great possibilities but also valid concerns. I wanted to hold this roundtable to hear from some of the region’s brightest minds about how AI is already shaping agriculture and what should be done to protect and develop our workforce. As the leading Democrat on the House Science Committee, listening to experts is a big part of my role, and I appreciate all of the participants who shared their insights on these important topics which impact both Silicon Valley and the Salinas Valley." In addition to her committee leadership, Lofgren serves as an Ex Officio Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy . She has led multiple bipartisan bills in the 119th Congress to support responsible AI innovation with necessary guardrails, including the AI-Ready Federal Data Guidelines Act (H.R. 9341) and the Workforce for AI Trust Act (H.R. 9334) . Both pieces of legislation passed unanimously out of the House Science Committee in June. The roundtable included San José State University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson; SJUSD Board Chair José Magaña; Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Ahmad Thomas; Reservoir VC General Partner Nicola Kerslake; Monterey Bay Economic Partnership President and CEO Tahra Goraya; Synopsys Director of Government Affairs Victoria Tung; and San José State University's Dr. Katherine Cushing, Chair of the School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies. "AI has tremendous potential to help address challenges such as water conservation, precision irrigation, groundwater modeling and crop monitoring,” from Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of San José State University. " I am proud that so many SJSU faculty members and students are deeply interested in connecting their research with real-world challenges, while helping ensure innovation advances the public good. The opportunity before us is to move from what AI makes possible to what California needs us to make possible. I thank Congresswoman Lofgren and everyone who contributed their expertise to this important conversation." "Congresswoman Lofgren's leadership on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and the Democratic Commission on Artificial Intelligence gives Silicon Valley a direct line into how federal AI policy gets made," said Ahmad Thomas, CEO of Silicon Valley Leadership Group. "Conversations like this one aren't just symbolic; they're a chance to make sure the people writing the rules for AI understand what's actually happening on the ground. SVLG is proud to help build a bridge from the Silicon Valley to the Salinas Valley that lifts up the voices of all stakeholders." "AI has real potential to help Salinas Valley growers manage water, labor, and crop health more precisely, but none of that works without the infrastructure to connect it,” said Tahra Goraya, President and CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. "At MBEP, we've seen firsthand through our broadband buildout across rural, underserved parts of our region that closing the connectivity gap isn't a side issue to AI adoption in agriculture, it's the prerequisite. Rural broadband is the infrastructure that determines whether the next generation of ag technology reaches every farm in this valley, or just the ones that can already afford to leapfrog the gap." "AI is going to reshape nearly every career path our students consider, which means the investments we make in TK-12 STEM education today directly determine who gets to participate in that future economy,” said José Magaña, President of the San José Unified Board of Trustees. "Early exposure to STEM changes outcomes, particularly for Latino students who remain underrepresented in these fields relative to their share of California's student population. Conversations like this one, informed by Congresswoman Lofgren's role on the AI Commission, are a chance to make sure that federal AI policy doesn't just focus on innovation but that it focuses on the pipeline of talent that has to exist for that innovation to be built by, and benefit, communities like ours." “Synopsys provides engineering solutions that help companies design and optimize complex systems, from chips to industrial equipment to digital infrastructure and more,” said Victoria Tung, Director of Government Affairs at Synopsys. "Discussions like this underscore the importance of designing technologies that meet customer requirements while balancing the needs of the communities where they are deployed.” "AI's intersection with agriculture and water resources raises complex and important issues, requiring an approach that engages multiple research disciplines and sectors in our society,” said Dr. Crist S. Khachikian, Vice President for Research and Innovation at San José State University. "A comprehensive public research university like SJSU is ideally suited to helping us get the governance right, ensure growers of every size can put these tools to use, and prepare the workforce for the changes ahead. California agriculture feeds the nation and the expertise in that room was diverse and palpable. I thank the Congresswoman and everyone around the table for a thoughtful and meaningful conversation.” ### Issues : Innovation and Technology