Smart Farms 2035: The Future of AI and Agriculture in Asia
This foresight brief presents two hypothetical future scenarios for AI and agriculture in Asia. These scenarios were developed through a foresight workshop that brought together leading thinkers & practitioners from civil society, academia, and industry.
The intersection of AI and Climate Action in Asia is uncertain and complex. New approaches are needed to anticipate possible opportunities and challenges and better prepare for change. Foresight methods provide a structured way to anticipate future trends, engage stakeholders, and identify anticipatory strategies. The expert network, along with additional participants from India, met for a scenario-building workshop in New Delhi in August 2023.
This report is part of AI+Climate Futures, commissioned by The Rockefeller Foundation. Here is a brief overview:
Future of AI and Agriculture in Asia
- How might the use of AI transform agricultural practices in Asia by 2035?
- What are the likely impacts on climate action in the region?
Countries across Asia have identified agriculture as a priority area for the use
of AI. The application of AI technologies is expected to increase farm productivity and support adaptation and resilience to changing climate conditions.
However, the adoption and effectiveness of AI are limited by several factors, including limited access to localised data sets and financing for farmers to change farming practices. Concerns around the commercialisation of farm data, food sovereignty, and unequal distribution of value also need to be negotiated.
As agriculture is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, AI tools are also being developed to support regenerative agricultural practices. Soil and forests can help absorb carbon from the atmosphere, but investments in this area have also been criticised for “greenwashing”. However, a more holistic and locally rooted approach to regenerative agriculture could boost climate action while enhancing livelihoods and biodiversity.
This foresight brief presents two hypothetical scenarios – Fractured Futures and Hopeful Tomorrows – for how the use of AI technologies and the processes accompanying its development and deployment are likely to impact agricultural practices in the region.
The final section of this brief presents a set of shared concerns and levers for change.
The scenarios are not predictions but provocations to consider the implications of current trajectories and imagine alternative possibilities. This brief can serve as a tool to explore new pathways for promoting responsible innovation and the adoption of AI technologies for agriculture and climate action.