We are pleased to announce the launch of AI-PIF Explorer, an advanced AI-powered chatbot developed for exploring the Pathogens in Foods (PIF) database. The platform is designed to add robust interpretative value to the microbiological occurrence data stored in PIF while also supporting the generation of publication-ready reports.

AI-PIF Explorer is accessible through the PIF database website and represents an important step in enhancing the usability of microbiological data for food safety research and evidence synthesis. The system enables users to interact with the database through natural language and obtain descriptive insights, statistical outputs, and analytical summaries in an efficient and intuitive way.

The system architecture, operating modes, including OpenChat and GuidedMode, as well as the statistical analysis workflow underpinning the agent, are described in our recently published paper entitled “A Retrieval-Augmented Natural Language Interface for Data Description and Meta-Analysis in the Pathogens-in-Foods (PIF) Database”.

Vasco Cadavez and Ursula Gonzales-Barron congratulate Lucas Silva on the publication of his first scientific paper. This achievement marks an important milestone in the development of intelligent data analytics tools for food safety, and we look forward to continuing the development of new LLM-based applications with him to further advance automated data analysis in the PIF project.

We also acknowledge and thank the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for funding the PIF database and supporting its continued development.