Cambridge-based business Better Origin has developed a product that it claims uses insects to'naturally convert' food waste into animal feed. Although it claims the conversion to be natural, the technology harnesses the power of AI and is fully autonomous. The product functions by feeding the food waste to insects, which are then used by farmers to feed their livestock. The human population is forecast to surpass nine billion by 2050, with food production needing to increase by 70% to increase demand. Better Origin argues that its solution to food waste promotes a circular food system; with waste being consumed by insects to then feed animals, increasing the food supply to humans in a sustainable way.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will deploy $21 million (£16m) of funding for fusion energy research projects. The finance will enable scientists to take advantage of new artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to speed up progress in fusion energy research. Part of the funding will also be allocated to improve operations at the Office of Science fusion facilities by automating data analysis and enabling algorithms. In a statement, DOE said: "AI and machine learning will help us to accelerate progress in fusion and keep American scientists at the forefront of fusion research."

SP Energy Networks is investing in cutting-edge software that applies machine learning algorithms and data science to predict electricity network demand and generation output. The artificial intelligence (AI) forecasting software, which uses historical network data and detailed weather data to make the predictions, will enable the network operator to maximise capacity and reliability across the electricity distribution network. Sia's software will go live in March 2020 and will be used in the real-time management of the network and forward planning when assessing the impact of new connections across the system. The investment comes as Britain's electricity network experiences a rapid transition from fossil fuel generation to renewable energy, low carbon options and energy efficiency programmes. Grant McBeath, Control Room Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: "Demand on the network is forecast to increase considering all future energy scenarios as we transition towards a zero carbon economy. We, therefore, have to change the way we manage the network – transitioning from passive approach to much more active and agile management, which requires a more dynamic approach to ensure capacity is maximised and customers' supplies remain uninterrupted. "Working with Sia on forecasting software will allow us a better understanding of the future flows of energy on the network right down to a half hourly basis.

Water company United Utilities is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology that is expected to help reduce electricity costs by 10% a year. Around 8MW of pumps, motors and biogas engines across eight of the water firm's sites will be connected to the technology provided by Open Energi over the next 12 months. It will enable a flexible approach to energy management with continuous monitoring of power demand and generation across the sites to reduce costs and increase renewable self-generation. The fully automated technology is expected to shift United Utilities' demand so it consumes more when it is generating high levels of electricity and much less during expensive peak periods as well as responds to fluctuations on the grid. Andy Pennick, Energy Manager at United Utilities said: "We are committed to providing safe, cost efficient and sustainable water and wastewater services to our customers… By bringing all our energy disciplines together, we can focus on future proofing our energy strategy and providing low carbon, secure energy at least cost.