CES showed how AI and Robotics are reshaping Agriculture

Reflecting a bit on my CES visit two weeks ago, I wanted to share some additional thoughts. At the end of the show, not everyone was talking about AgTech, but they should have been.

In Las Vegas, I attended the trade show’s first ever sessions on AgTech and they were nothing short of exciting. The introduction of this track at CES marks a significant milestone in acknowledging technology’s role in agriculture. From smart sensors for crop identification to real-time soil analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are revolutionizing the way farmers operate — helping them increase efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure sustainable food production.

This year’s focus was less on brainstorming ideas and creating a buzz, but more around reflecting on innovations and their realistic use cases (as my colleague Fabian Brandt highlighted in his video on the automotive industry too). One interesting application of AI in agriculture with a lot of potential is the ability to measure gas emissions of ripening fruits. This technology allows farmers and distributers to accurately assess the quality and longevity of their produce and helps them make informed decisions regarding harvest, storage, and expiration dates.

Another potential game-changer: John Deere introduced a pay-as-you-go business model that lowers upfront costs, making advanced machinery like autonomous driving tractors more accessible. They estimate the AgTech market to be worth $150 billion, highlighting its immense potential for growth and innovation.

Farming indoors, what?

Farmers also need to be able to make on-the-fly adjustments in the face of changing weather patterns. But what if they could avoid the weather altogether?

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) was another hot topic at the tech event. CEA offers precise control over environmental factors, resulting in higher crop yields and reduced resource consumption. While CEA can be more expensive than traditional farming methods, it fills critical gaps in the market, such as the recent Sriracha chili shortage. Additionally, waste from plants can be converted into liquid fertilizer or peat, further enhancing sustainability in indoor farming. One of the key challenges in indoor farming is pollination, particularly for non-leafy crops. Oishii, a leading indoor farming company, has successfully addressed this issue by developing innovative techniques to keep bees indoors. This breakthrough ensures efficient pollination and enables the cultivation of a wide range of non-leafy crops in controlled environments. The homogenous environment of indoor farming makes it easier to apply technology and automation. Factors such as consistent lighting conditions and the absence of sun movement simplify the implementation of AI and robotics. However, to bring this to commercial scale, the agricultural industry requires long-term capital commitment beyond the typical investment timeframe of five to seven years. As agricultural cycles are much longer, investors and stakeholders must recognize the need for sustained support to drive innovation and growth in CEA.

Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture. To ensure food security and sustainability, adaptive strategies and the integration of AI and robotics are crucial. By leveraging AI-powered climate prediction models, farmers can make informed decisions and implement proactive measures to mitigate climate change's impact. Additionally, there is a need to shift agricultural subsidies towards supporting the production of fruits and vegetables, aligning agricultural policies with nutritional guidelines to promote a healthier and more sustainable food system.

The connected farm

The connected farm is another area where AI and robotics are making a significant impact within agriculture. With 87% of farmers not making sufficient money solely from farming and relying on non-farming income, it is crucial to find alternative solutions to increase profitability. The average age of farmers is 57, with one-third of farmers over 65, highlighting the need to attract younger generations to the industry. Robotics and automation are therefore not a job killer as some suggest, but rather a necessity to keep operations up and running. And in addition, it will create high value-added jobs that align with the purpose-driven mindset of the younger generation.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing are key to unlocking the full potential of technology-powered farms. By sharing growth data and insights, farmers can learn from each other's experiences and avoid reinventing the wheel. AI-powered chatbots, such as Chat GPT, can assist farmers in identifying and addressing challenges in real-time. Whether it's identifying weeds or providing expert advice on legal issues, AI-powered chatbots offer a valuable resource for farmers to overcome operational obstacles.

While vertical farming has seen significant investments, profitability remains elusive. Scaling and commercializing these operations pose challenges, but early-stage investments drive innovation and technology refinement. As the industry evolves, advancements will make vertical farming a viable and profitable solution for sustainable food production.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture, we must address the unsustainability of current practices that use 50% of global land. Embracing vertical farming and robotics allow us to optimize resource utilization, reduce land requirements, and restore land to its natural state. This shift towards sustainable farming practices benefits both the environment and the agricultural industry's future.

The message at CES

AI and robotics are agriculture’s future and younger technologists looking for the next frontier may want to consider farming, as counterintuitive as that might sound. Embracing AI and robotics creates a resilient and sustainable food system for a growing global population while preserving natural resources — a win-win.