Our speaker will be Mirza Tihić, speaking about Beekeeping in the Age of AI.

What keeps beekeepers going when the economics don’t always make sense? Drawing from interviews and survey data from beekeepers across the country, this talk explores why people stick with beekeeping despite challenges, how beekeepers make decisions about treatment, local adaptation, and hive management, and how AI and tchnology can play a role in beekeepeing practices, access, and sustanability. We’ll discuss findings particularly relevant to urban and suburban beekeepers, the growing movement toward treatment-free and locally-adapted approaches, and what your practices can teach researchers and the broader beekeeping community. Dr. Tihić says, “This is as much a conversation as a presentation—I want to hear your perspectives and learn from the Alameda County beekeeping community”.

Dr. Mirza Tihić is an Associate Teaching Professor at Syracuse University and Entrepreneurship Research Fellow at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. His current research examines why beekeepers persist in their craft despite financial challenges, exploring the role of intrinsic motivation, community connection, and environmental stewardship. In addition to his academic work, Mirza co-founded ApisIQ, a smart hive technology company, and co-owns Medobar (in Bosnian language Med=Honey, Dobar=Good), which sells honey products in Bosnia. He brings both research expertise and hands-on beekeeping experience to understanding how beekeepers make decisions and adapt to their local contexts.