With AI’s potential to reshape the agrifood sector at the top of every leader’s agenda, few bring as much insight and experience to the conversation as Mary Snapp. Over nearly four decades at Microsoft, she broke ground as the company’s first female lawyer and later led major initiatives across engineering, product development, and global philanthropy.
Mary brings a unique perspective on how AI can drive innovation in food and agriculture. Ahead of her appearance at WFA: Americas on Monday, September 22 at The Ritz-Carlton in Chicago, we caught up with her to explore AI’s transformative potential, her advice for agri-leaders, and what excites her most about the future of food and farming.
[WFA] Could you introduce yourself and describe your day-to-day role?
[Mary Snapp] I currently serve as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Microsoft, where I’m concluding a 37-year career. I was the first female lawyer hired at the company and went on to lead legal work for our engineering and product development teams. Later, I founded and led Microsoft Global Philanthropies, with a focus on youth development organizations like 4-H and FFA, as well as advancing rural economic prosperity.
Going forward, I will continue supporting Microsoft in a consulting role, focusing on policy and philanthropic initiatives in Washington State and rural economic development across the U.S.
[WFA] What excites you most about AI’s potential in the agrifood sector right now?
[Mary Snapp] So many things! I am excited about the use of AI to accelerate research on nutrition, and crop efficiencies, but also its practical use the field with satellite imagery and weather forecasting and precision agriculture. I always love to hear about farmers and ranchers using business insights (a form of AI) in their farm business management.
[WFA] Which areas of the sector have seen the most measurable impact from AI adoption so far?
[Mary Snapp] We have seen a lot of efficiencies in processing and distribution to date, but we are just at the beginning. I recently saw an amazing operation at Okanagan Specialty Fruits in Washington state, which used AI to do genetic editing of apples to stop them turning brown after slicing. They also use photo imagery for sorting and robotics for packaging – an incredible integration of technology across the production process.
[WFA] If you could offer one piece of advice to leaders just starting their AI journey, what would it be?
[Mary Snapp] Just experiment! Try some easy AI tools as a consumer. If you are interested, there are many short online courses to “demystify” AI, and to enable you to use AI as a tool to augment your own skills and knowledge.
[WFA] And lastly, what are you most looking forward to at the WFA event?
[Mary Snapp] I always love learning from others at events like these, and the lineup of speakers and attendees at the WFA event looks to be just fantastic!
Hear from Microsoft’s Mary Snapp and other expert speakers at WFA: Americas, Monday September 22nd at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. Learn more here: https://www.expanamarkets.com/events/wfa-americas/
