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Agricultural Biotechnology Seminar Series 2026 | Seminar 2: Artificial Intelligence – A Tool in Regulatory Risk Assessment for Products of Modern Biotechnology

    July 23, 2026
    8:00 am - 10:15 am
    Virtual (PHT/UTC+8)
    Manila, The Philippines

APEC economies continue to review and make regulatory decisions on genetically modified food and feed products under established biosafety and food safety frameworks. The APEC Update of the Baseline Study on Agricultural Biotechnology Regulations documents more than 1,260 submissions and food safety decisions across 28 economies, reflecting sustained regulatory activity and the continued need for efficient, science-based assessment systems. In parallel, APEC economies are actively developing and implementing regulatory approaches for genome editing technologies, with recent APEC discussions emphasizing the importance of predictable, transparent, and consistent regulatory pathways to support innovation while maintaining safety standards.

As regulatory agencies in the field of agricultural biotechnology face expanding bodies of scientific literature and increasingly complex technical dossiers, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being explored across regulatory systems to strengthen evidence management and support scientific workflows. Some examples include AI-supported evidence management processes in risk assessment, literature retrieval, screening, data extraction, and knowledge organization, while maintaining a “human-in-the-loop” approach to ensure scientific oversight and accountability. These developments consistently position AI as a decision-support tool, augmenting—rather than replacing—expert scientific judgment.

Other public-sector domains provide useful forward-looking insights into how AI can be responsibly integrated into regulatory systems. In the healthcare sector, regulatory and research institutions are increasingly applying AI to support diagnostics, data analysis, and clinical decision-making, demonstrating how AI can enhance the handling of large and complex datasets while maintaining human oversight. In the Philippines, initiatives supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have showcased AI-enabled health innovations, including diagnostic support tools and digital health systems, while national efforts have also highlighted the use of AI in areas such as disease screening and health service delivery.

These cross-sector experiences highlight potential outcomes of AI adoption that are directly relevant to regulatory risk assessment, including improved efficiency in evidence processing, enhanced consistency and traceability of evaluations, and strengthened transparency in decision-making processes. At the same time, the responsible use of AI requires appropriate safeguards, transparency, validation approaches, and continued scientific oversight to ensure scientific rigor and accountability. Against this backdrop, there is a clear opportunity for APEC economies to explore how AI can be responsibly and strategically integrated into regulatory risk assessment systems for modern biotechnology.

The second installment in the 2026 Agricultural Biotechnology Seminar Series, this virtual seminar aims to foster learning, discussion, and collaboration outside of the annual APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) meeting. This session’s objective is to provide a forward-looking yet practical platform for sharing experiences and strengthening capacity for AI-enabled regulatory modernization in agricultural biotechnology.

The sponsoring economy for this session is the Philippines.

Agricultural Biotechnology Seminar Series

By bringing together policymakers, risk assessors, and scientists, the series seeks to foster greater participation and enhance engagement in the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) outside of the annual meeting.

This seminar’s objectives are to:

  • Discuss potential practical entry points for the use of AI in regulatory risk assessment for products of genetic engineering and genome editing.
  • Share case examples of integrating AI into product development.
  • Deliberate on the appropriate and responsible use of AI as a decision-support tool.
  • Provide APEC economies with ideas for piloting AI tools in a regulatory context.

 

Agenda

8:00 am

Welcome and Introduction | Overview of the Seminar

Dr. Bhavneet Bajaj
Senior Manager–Scientific Programs, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI), USA

8:05 am

Opening Remarks

Dr. Paul C. Limson
Director, Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program, Department of Agriculture (DA Biotech Program), The Philippines

8:10 am

Message of Support

Dr. Reynaldo Ebora
Executive Director, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), The Philippines

8:15 am

From Data to Deployment: Responsible AI for Agri-Food Biotechnology and Innovation in the Philippines

Mr. Elmer C. Peramo
Assistant Scientist, Advanced Science and Technology Institute, Department of Science and Technology, (DOST-ASTI), The Philippines

8:30 am

AI as a Support Tool: FSANZ’s Experience

Dr. Shai Joseph
Senior Regulatory Scientist–New Foods, Food Standards Australia New Zealand

8:50 am

Artificial Intelligence as a Support Tool for Regulatory Decision-Making in Biotechnology

Ms. Florencia Goberna
Coordination of Innovation and Biotechnology, Undersecretariat of Agricultural and Forestry Production, Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Argentina

9:05 am

Use of AI in Product Development: Perspective from the Private Sector (recorded presentation)

Mr. Pieter Windels
Head Regulatory Science, S&T Belgium, BASF

9:20 am

Break

9:25 am

Panel Discussion

Dr. Bhavneet Bajaj (moderator)

All Speakers

Dr. Mitscheli Sanches da Rocha
Global Regulatory Policy Manager–Seeds & Traits, BASF, USA

Dr. Alan Pearson
Assistant Deputy Administrator, United States Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), USA

Dr. Marcelo Menossi
Professor–Functional Genomics, State University of Campinas and Vice President, National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio), Brazil

10:10 am

Closing Remarks

Dr. Bhavneet Bajaj

 * AFSI is supported by a grant from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Speakers and Panelists

Ms. Florencia Goberna

Coordination of Innovation and Biotechnology, Undersecretariat of Agricultural and Forestry Production, Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Argentina

Florencia Goberna is a biotechnologist with a strong background in regulatory affairs, biosafety, and risk assessment of GMOs and New Breeding Techniques (NBTs). She has extensive experience in policy development, international regulatory harmonization, and capacity building for government agencies. Her fields of expertise include scientific communication, public engagement, and advising policymakers on biotechnology governance. She is passionate about the bioeconomy, sustainability, and technology-driven innovation in agriculture and food security.

Dr. Shai Joseph

Senior Regulatory Scientist–New Foods, Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Dr. Shai Joseph is a senior scientist in the Biotechnology, Toxicology and Nutrition Science Section at Food Standards Australia New Zealand. In this role, he has gained a thorough understanding of biotechnology applications for food, whole food safety assessments and food regulation. His Ph.D. and research experience is in the field of genetics and molecular biology, and he also worked in science communication, where he translated complex information into easy-to-understand material. He uses his knowledge and skills to communicate about biotechnology and food to a range of audiences, including decision-makers, scientists, and the general public.

Dr. Marcelo Menossi

Professor–Functional Genomics, State University of Campinas and Vice President, National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio), Brazil

Dr. Marcelo Menossi is a Full Professor at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, where he leads the Functional Genome Laboratory. His research focuses on plant biotechnology, functional genomics, and genome editing, with particular emphasis on developing crops with improved tolerance to abiotic stresses and other agronomically relevant traits. He has extensive experience in sugarcane biotechnology and has coordinated and participated in multidisciplinary research projects involving academic and industry partners in Brazil and abroad. Dr. Menossi is a member and Vice-Chair of Brazil’s National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio), contributing to the regulatory assessment of genetically modified and genome-edited organisms. His current interests include advanced genome-editing technologies and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into biosafety risk assessment.

Dr. Mitscheli Sanches da Rocha

Global Regulatory Policy Manager–Seeds & Traits, BASF, USA

Dr. Mitscheli Sanches da Rocha is a recognized expert in regulatory toxicology and product safety for biotechnology, with over a decade of hands-on experience in regulatory toxicology, ecotoxicology, and safety assessment of biotechnology, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food products. During her graduate training, she was a scholarship recipient, earned five academic awards, and published five first-author papers in leading toxicology journals, reflecting a strong foundation in rigorous experimental science and peer-reviewed communication. Dr. Rocha combines technical depth with practical regulatory insight, and has represented industry in stakeholder fora, delivered invited academic talks, and organized biotechnology-focused events. She strives for science- and evidence-based regulatory approaches and is committed to strengthening transparent, data-driven decision-making for the safe development and deployment of biotechnological innovations. As Regulatory Policy Manager, Dr. Rocha follows the developments in new and emerging biotechnologies and their convergence with adjacent fields such as artificial intelligence.

Mr. Elmer C. Peramo

Assistant Scientist, Advanced Science and Technology Institute, Department of Science and Technology, (DOST-ASTI), The Philippines

Mr. Elmer C. Peramo is a distinguished Assistant Scientist at the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), leveraging over two decades of experience in machine learning and artificial intelligence applied across sectors including weather forecasting, agriculture, natural language processing, and healthcare. He has led and managed multidisciplinary teams in delivering cutting-edge AI projects that address both national needs and global challenges.

Elmer is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at De La Salle University, Manila. He holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Philippines and has taught Predictive Analytics, Data Science, Mathematics, and Programming as a part-time lecturer at several colleges and universities. He also served as a visiting scholar at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, focusing on AI applications in Additive Manufacturing.

A prominent voice in the Philippine AI landscape, Elmer has represented the country in multiple international workshops, forums, and conferences related to Artificial Intelligence, including engagements with UNESCO and global AI governance initiatives. He played a key role in the UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment Methodology workshops and contributed to the drafting of the UNESCO Recommendations on the Ethics of AI. At the national level, Elmer has made major contributions to the development of AI policy within the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He is a recognized expert and frequent resource person in the Philippine House of Representatives for legislative discussions on AI, and is consulted by agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on the economic and workforce implications of AI.

His technical expertise spans machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, backed by certifications from platforms such as Coursera and Udemy. Elmer’s scientific publications and ongoing research further underscore his commitment to the advancement of AI theory and practice. A regular speaker in international forums, Elmer brings a deep understanding of both ethical frameworks and practical applications of AI. His work continues to bridge the gap between technology, policy, and public service, solidifying his role as a key contributor to the Philippines’ AI ecosystem.

Mr. Peramo is currently the Program Leader of the Advancing Computing, Analytics, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in the Philippines (ACABAI-PH), a flagship ELEV8PH Big Ticket Program of DOST, and Project Leader of the DOST-Nexus for AI Research and Applications (DOST-NAIRA). In these pivotal roles, he spearheads initiatives set to significantly enhance the nation’s AI capabilities. Furthermore, his leadership in DOST-NAIRA is democratizing access to AI tools and infrastructure for Filipino researchers, MSMEs, and government agencies by establishing a national AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) platform, fostering collaborative R&D, and delivering locally relevant, cost-effective solutions for national development.

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