Genesys Advisory Committee meeting highlights
January 15, 2026
The Genesys Advisory Committee met twice in 2025, here are the top takeaways.
The Genesys Advisory Committee convened in March and October 2025 to review progress, share feedback, and shape the future of the platform. Here's a recap of the most notable discussions and developments.
Both meetings featured updates from the Genesys Team on platform activities, from onboarding of new data providers, infrastructure upgrades, to outreach efforts.
A recurring theme was the importance of trait and genotype data. Members emphasized the need to distinguish between characterization (descriptive) and evaluation (experimental) data, noting that the latter is often project-based and less comprehensive. This distinction is crucial for users navigating increasingly complex datasets.
The Committee also discussed expanding the integration of AI tools to level-up the analytical functionalities of the platform, and its user experience. While some members expressed concern about usability challenges, others highlighted the potential of smart technologies to bridge gaps and make data more accessible. There was broad support for continuing to enhance Genesys with intuitive filtering, multilingual support, and analytical tools.
Finally, the idea of a centralized documentation hub was proposed to help users navigate the growing suite of tools and data types available through Genesys. While the platform already links to external knowledge bases, members saw value in consolidating guidance and documentation tailored to Genesys users.
The initial plans for 2026 were presented in October, focusing on the expansion of trait data, the launch of a redesigned user interface, and the onboarding of partners for the Digitize Genebanks project. The Crop Trust extends its sincere thanks to the Committee members and Chair for their commitment, insightful feedback, and continued support, which will inform the refinement of the final 2026 plan. Stay tuned for the release of the final 2026 plan document.