Adopting a farmer centric approach will be key to increasing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to deliver real benefits at farm level and across the supply chains.
This was the key take home messages to the 300 delegates, including industry bodies, government, system developers, trade professionals, academics and farmers who attended AI(Live), the UKs first conference devoted to the application of AI systems in livestock farming.
Sponsored by HerdVision, VetImpress, Vetoquinol, OvaCyte, MSD Animal Health, IVC Farm Vets, Herdwatch and Kynetec, the conference set out to open up the debate on the core issues which will shape the development of AI systems for livestock production.
Renowned technology futurist and commentator Dan Sodergren stressed that agriculture was on the edge of an information revolution.
“Every farm and every farmer is unique, and farming is far too important to leave to the tech giants which is why you need to take control of your destiny,” he said.
“AI can amplify the individuality of farms and farmers, but it must serve them. Farmers must understand and influence AI development and must see an ROI on systems they use.
“But it is also important that everyone is included. People must not be left behind, and it is vital that the infrastructure such as rural broadband is in place to exploit the potential.
“The question farmers and their professionals should ask is not what can AI do for me, but what can you do with AI.”
Addressing real problems
Poultry farmer and director of Optifarm, David Speller, stressed the importance of finding the real problems and then developing systems to address these.
He urged tech companies to really engage with farmers to understand what will deliver and help get farmers out of the office and back farming.
Launching the results of a new farmer survey, Gemma Norman Senior Research Director at Kynetec told delegates that while 52% of respondents use data regularly only 10% said they were using AI for business decisions and to run their businesses. Reliability, cost, trust and data security are all reasons why farmers are reluctant to engage and 57% want more education and training.
Delegates were told that the industry needs a degree of control to help overcome some of these concerns and ensure the benefits of AI help all livestock producers. This could come from standards and could come from regulation. There is probably a bigger role for standards than for regulation, as over-regulation can stifle opportunity.
“The conference achieved its objective is stimulating debate,“ said joint-organiser Paul Horwood from IVC Farm Vets. “AI is here, and it is becoming a larger part of everything we do, affecting all parts of farm businesses.
“That AI can deliver significant benefits is undoubtedly true, but it is vital the industry takes the lead in steering the development of systems that matter, helps educate farmers and then support them to deploy the technology and finally to help build the trust that will be so important.”