--- title: Zordi: An Agricultural Ecosystem Using AI and Robotics to Combat Climate Change and Labor Shortages description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. canonical: https://time.com/branded-content/bcc/zordi-an-agricultural-ecosystem-using-ai-and-robotics-to-combat-climate-change/ article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-06-18T14:28:07.024Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-25T07:35:20.779Z article:section: Branded Contributor Content og:title: Zordi: An Agricultural Ecosystem Using AI and Robotics to Combat Climate Change and Labor Shortages og:description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription.  Just as the world struggles to feed an unprecedented 8 billion people, farmers are giving up their land. Some have left by choice; others have wanted to stay but have been forced out by the reality that farming is becoming less profitable every year. Fires, floods, and other extreme weather events destroyed more than $123 billion worth of crops last year, and that number is expected to grow as the impacts of climate change become the new global reality. At the same time, farms are experiencing labor shortages and demands for higher wages. Fortunately, [Zordi](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=150ccda2-b55c-4d52-8fd6-e04cb94cd3fd&ntv%5Fa=gqYJAGLdtA9k0PA&ntv%5Ffl=H8%5FNIX%5FfVs0Ik5QLWe2EYFs21hrFiOrNUQQMKMOTxOglxKllVdADLPFK7d0TrqDAR2ayio25F2eQ2AEh%5F5ys6lSzyfMDFQA3MlonQ2OXxr9F%5FZRA15MutvOQhuqHXr6uroEMnz4OP8cYlnUoCdtZJuaMopMaiKYsJAUSFbdIOcboT8EGG%5FM9IxLOt0rK4QWigdEJxjf9fGmv%5FGqoPhX8zapACglsMRoWtsBIzLhQTmZG0a8rH6mOJZBuUAFAM6%5FuWEwEQusfhFddJI4Kzvphv93G2Liwrna3ViBOTkmTo-%5Fg32WsSfDAlrhIq-fC39-O0%5F5PoofnNGx7Hdwy0WTj9Uxp16EsXThU59pJ9mstbvyzo8%5FDeAMMbCn0UTpqBxRhnxvIDnmc2bOxZ3ER3QejV82oGn7RME7CcxgYtu5M-dmyjevzmbMOVbyTUqWziFQxQRxtAd%5FHr-%5FgJa-wyJmCvZbP%5F54wyeYKK1Oxk8FDiD%5FZkQa2l2Z5lnbfU4K01r97h5tut4oQxRMdeVgfqPXaR1Dou7M%5FJOfAS1wp%5FYsJSqg=&ord=-1008637922&ntv%5Fht=iycIagA&prx%5Fr=http://zordi.com) is redefining agriculture by merging artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable practices to create an ideal ecosystem for growth. “We’re not just offering technology; we’re reshaping the way farming works,” explains [Gilwoo Lee](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=150ccda2-b55c-4d52-8fd6-e04cb94cd3fd&ntv%5Fa=gqYJAGLdtA9k0PA&ntv%5Ffl=H8%5FNIX%5FfVs0Ik5QLWe2EYFs21hrFiOrNUQQMKMOTxOglxKllVdADLPFK7d0TrqDAR2ayio25F2eQ2AEh%5F5ys6lSzyfMDFQA3MlonQ2OXxr9F%5FZRA15MutvOQhuqHXr6uroEMnz4OP8cYlnUoCdtZJuaMopMaiKYsJAUSFbdIOcboT8EGG%5FM9IxLOt0rK4QWigdEJxjf9fGmv%5FGqoPhX8zapACglsMRoWtsBIzLhQTmZG0a8rH6mOJZBuUAFAM6%5FuWEwEQusfhFddJI4Kzvphv93G2Liwrna3ViBOTkmTo-%5Fg32WsSfDAlrhIq-fC39-O0%5F5PoofnNGx7Hdwy0WTj9Uxp16EsXThU59pJ9mstbvyzo8%5FDeAMMbCn0UTpqBxRhnxvIDnmc2bOxZ3ER3QejV82oGn7RME7CcxgYtu5M-dmyjevzmbMOVbyTUqWziFQxQRxtAd%5FHr-%5FgJa-wyJmCvZbP%5F54wyeYKK1Oxk8FDiD%5FZkQa2l2Z5lnbfU4K01r97h5tut4oQxRMdeVgfqPXaR1Dou7M%5FJOfAS1wp%5FYsJSqg=&ord=-1008637922&ntv%5Fht=iycIagA&prx%5Fr=https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilwoo-lee-581a13199/), Zordi’s founder and CEO. Lee, with a doctorate in AI and robotics, founded Zordi to help combat those challenges and feed the world high-quality, sustainable food. To do so, Zordi is building an economical AI-robotic greenhouse solution and the ecosystem around it. Having grown up in South Korea, one of the world's largest per-capita greenhouses, she saw an opportunity to use state-of-the-art AI and robotics to make low-cost greenhouses more economically viable and sustainable than energy-intensive alternatives like vertical farms. The company’s approach isn’t about overwhelming farmers with complex technology but providing all the practical tools, services, and solutions expected to have an immediate impact. From offering exclusive crop genetics to helping farms adopt their technology, Zordi creates a holistic ecosystem designed for success. “The economics of farming have shifted,” Lee explains. “Farms need a better alternative than paying labor to remove crops damaged by weather. The old ways of vast open-field agriculture just aren’t viable anymore. We have an impactful solution.” **The Power of AI in Farming** Zordi’s solution is harnessing advances in AI to make greenhouses both better and more efficient. Take their scouting robots: they run around the greenhouses, acting as eyes and ears for farmers. They monitor crop growth and detect early signs of pests and diseases while offering precise recommendations for solutions, all backed by AI. Zordi’s AI-driven platform collects detailed data on plant health, soil conditions, and resource usage to enable a level of precision that was previously unattainable. By optimizing every aspect of the growing process, Zordi’s solutions help farmers maximize yields while minimizing waste—a win for both the environment and the farmers. Meanwhile, Zordi’s harvesting robots harvest and pack fruits directly into packages, further reducing the need for extensive manual labor. Zordi’s integrated system can potentially reduce labor needs by up to 80%. “Our current pilots have already cut labor costs by 40%,” Lee notes. “That’s just the start. Our goal is to redefine efficiency in farming.” **A Collaborative Model for Success** What further sets Zordi apart is how it partners with farmers. Instead of simply selling robots or AI software, Zordi offers a long-lasting partnership. This includes access to exclusive crop genetics designed for high quality and yields, hands-on cultivation support, and help to retrofit or construct greenhouses at reduced costs. Their AI and robots are only a part of this offering, but certainly a key driver for their partner farms. But Zordi doesn’t stop at production. The company manages branding and distribution, selling produce under its own label to grocery stores. This frees farmers to focus on what they do best, growing exceptional crops, while Zordi takes care of the rest. “We’re not just delivering tools; we’re delivering opportunities. We are providing the whole package, so farmers can farm,” Lee emphasizes. **Sustainability at the Heart of Zordi** Zordi’s commitment to sustainability is a cornerstone of Lee’s mission and vision for the company. Their greenhouses use 95% less freshwater than traditional farming methods, and by cutting food miles from over 1,500 to under 200, they significantly reduce carbon emissions. With precision techniques that allow for consistent, year-round production, Zordi is proving that farming can be both environmentally responsible and economically viable. **Growing Beyond Borders** Currently operating in key agricultural hubs like New York, New Jersey, and California, Zordi is preparing to expand across North America and beyond. Their modular approach, which begins with a few acres of pilots with their partner farms, ensures a smooth transition for farms adopting the technology. The company’s current focus is on strawberries, a notoriously delicate crop. “If we can perfect the production of strawberries, we can adapt this technology to virtually any crop,” Lee asserts. By addressing farmers’ pain points with precision and care, Zordi is charting a new course for agriculture—one that blends cutting-edge innovation with a practical understanding of what farmers truly need. “We’re not just solving today’s problems,” Lee concludes. “We’re creating a future where farming can thrive.” Learn more about Zordi at [https://www.zordi.com/](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=150ccda2-b55c-4d52-8fd6-e04cb94cd3fd&ntv%5Fa=gqYJAGLdtA9k0PA&ntv%5Ffl=H8%5FNIX%5FfVs0Ik5QLWe2EYFs21hrFiOrNUQQMKMOTxOglxKllVdADLPFK7d0TrqDAR2ayio25F2eQ2AEh%5F5ys6lSzyfMDFQA3MlonQ2OXxr9F%5FZRA15MutvOQhuqHXr6uroEMnz4OP8cYlnUoCdtZJuaMopMaiKYsJAUSFbdIOcboT8EGG%5FM9IxLOt0rK4QWigdEJxjf9fGmv%5FGqoPhX8zapACglsMRoWtsBIzLhQTmZG0a8rH6mOJZBuUAFAM6%5FuWEwEQusfhFddJI4Kzvphv93G2Liwrna3ViBOTkmTo-%5Fg32WsSfDAlrhIq-fC39-O0%5F5PoofnNGx7Hdwy0WTj9Uxp16EsXThU59pJ9mstbvyzo8%5FDeAMMbCn0UTpqBxRhnxvIDnmc2bOxZ3ER3QejV82oGn7RME7CcxgYtu5M-dmyjevzmbMOVbyTUqWziFQxQRxtAd%5FHr-%5FgJa-wyJmCvZbP%5F54wyeYKK1Oxk8FDiD%5FZkQa2l2Z5lnbfU4K01r97h5tut4oQxRMdeVgfqPXaR1Dou7M%5FJOfAS1wp%5FYsJSqg=&ord=-1008637922&ntv%5Fht=iycIagA&prx%5Fr=https://www.zordi.com/). ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/bcc/zordi-an-agricultural-ecosystem-using-ai-and-robotics-to-combat-climate-change/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/bcc/zordi-an-agricultural-ecosystem-using-ai-and-robotics-to-combat-climate-change/"},"headline":"Zordi: An Agricultural Ecosystem Using AI and Robotics to Combat Climate Change and Labor Shortages","datePublished":"2026-06-18T14:28:07.024Z","dateModified":"2026-05-25T07:35:20.779Z","description":"","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/bcc/zordi-an-agricultural-ecosystem-using-ai-and-robotics-to-combat-climate-change/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"Branded Contributor Content","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/bcc/zordi-an-agricultural-ecosystem-using-ai-and-robotics-to-combat-climate-change/","name":"Zordi: An Agricultural Ecosystem Using AI and Robotics to Combat Climate Change and Labor Shortages"}}]}] ```