Managing the risks of artificial intelligence in agriculture

Robert Sparrow, Mark Howard, Christopher Degeling

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

In this paper, we survey the ethical, social, and policy issues that are likely to arise as Artificial Intelligence (AI) begins to impact on agriculture. We highlight possible unintended consequences of the adoption of this technology, which have been neglected in most discussions of the topic to date. A range of current, as well as proposed, applications of AI in agriculture are described, alongside applications of AI in the broader society and economy that are likely to impact on agriculture. AI may bring many benefits, for agricultural producers, consumers, and the environment, but also significant risks. We draw attention to various design choices and policy tools that may help manage the risks – and promote the benefits – of AI and highlight the ethical choices involved in attempts to trade off these risks and benefits. An ongoing and inclusive conversation, about the ethical issues raised by AI and its potential applications in agriculture, should be facilitated to guide policy in this area.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)172-196
Number of pages25
JournalNJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences
Volume93
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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    • ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

      Thomas, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Burgess, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sellis, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Horst, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lupton, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Goggin, G. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Pink, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sanderson, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Henman, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bruns, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Dan, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Andrejevic, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Suzor, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Potts, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Parker, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Leckie, C. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Dowse, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Richardson, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Schulz, W. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Fors, V. (Partner Investigator (PI)), de Rijke, M. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Puschmann, C. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Jurko, I. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Stoyanovich, J. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Yeung, K. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Pasquale, F. (Partner Investigator (PI))

      27/08/20 → 27/08/27

      Project: Research

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