Artificial intelligence is already being used to manage food production in Canadian greenhouses, but it doesn't come without risks, says a University of Guelph computer scientist.
Dr. Rozita Dara, who studies smart farming as the director of Artificial Intelligence for Food (AI4Food), says AI simplifies food production by automating routine tasks like watering, fertilizing and pest control.
"This reduces the need for manual effort, improves quality and ensures consistent growing conditions," Dara says. "It also helps farmers plan better by predicting future needs based on data, reducing waste and increasing efficiency."
Dr. Rozita Dara
AI can even play a role in predicting weather and marketing trends, helping farmers plan for the future. But there are some challenges with bringing technology into the agriculture sector.
"One major obstacle is the high cost of purchasing and implementing these systems, which may be prohibitive for small- and medium-sized farms," Dara says, noting costs come from installation, maintenance and training.
"Also, reliability and accuracy of AI systems can vary, and farmers may be hesitant to rely heavily on new technology until they are confident it works well in their specific environment. Data privacy and security are other concerns, as sensitive farm data must be protected from potential hacking or misuse."
Dara warns increased AI use could make the agri-food industry overly dependent on technology.
"If systems fail or are hacked, it could lead to serious disruptions, impacting crop health, food supply and farm operations," she says.
The key to using AI effectively, Dara says, is open communication within the industry.
"Ensuring transparency around how AI makes decisions, maintaining security to protect data and promoting equitable access will be vital to making sure AI advances contribute to a sustainable and fair food system for everyone."
Source: The University of Guelph