A new initiative called Growing with AI will bring together the state’s tech giants and diverse farming community to tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Ananth Kalyanaraman, a computer science professor at Washington State University and expert in ag tech applications, highlighted several potential AI applications:
- weather and climate data analysis and modeling to provide guidance on planting and harvesting schedules and selection of which varietals to use
- insights into the amount and timing of irrigation, fertilizing and pest control;
- robotics to support tree pruning and crop harvesting;
- automated devices like those provided by Carbon Robotics to remove weeds, damaging insects and rocks.
This is the first time the Academy of Sciences, which educates public leaders on scientific matters, has created a series focused on one issue and incorporated a call to action.
Kalyanaraman noted that federal support of AI in the ag sector has been limited, particularly given the importance of building a more robust food-supply system. Farming hasn’t been made a priority compared to other areas, he added, but the need is urgent and Washington can help lead.
“We should be able to provide an exemplar to the rest of the nation,” Kalyanaraman said, “in terms of how to most effectively and responsibly embrace AI into a complex, decision-driven system like agriculture.”
