It used to be, if you were discussing machine learning, it meant training on a new type of equipment. Such as, “I’m doing some machine learning on that bulldozer over there.”
Today it refers to computers with artificial intelligence (AI) teaching itself a task such as plant or disease identification. AI is not our buddy at the coffee shop who thinks he knows more than he does. Computer AI sophistication is advancing rapidly and will no doubt arrive at the farm gate in short order.
LARGE LANGUAGE TOOL
One of the newest entrants is a product called ChatGPT. It launched in November by a group called OpenAI which previously rolled out a picture creator called DALL•E 2. This artificial intelligence (AI) is a large language model tool and works like a chatbot.
It’s able to crunch data and string together words, sentences, code and even marketing campaigns. Users ask questions or request tasks, and the AI will respond with an answer. The more it gets asked, or the more it compiles data and information, the smarter it gets.
ChatGPT is taking the white-collar world by storm. Some online sites are using it to write articles, it can also explain complex topics, solve math problems, write songs, debug computer code, translate between languages or answer questions. Microsoft plans to add ChatGPT to its internet cloud services. Some companies have had the program apply for jobs, and it’s made the shortlist.
A world powered or supported by AI may have been the stuff of science fiction, but today it’s science fact.
IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE
So, what does this mean for agriculture? As our industry continues to translate real-life data into ones and zeros, AI is going to be available to serve recommendations or in some cases make decisions independently.
It might be a phone app or building variable rate maps, but however it shows up, expect it to be simple and seamless. The biggest questions will be, who made it, and do you trust it? That’s something you’ll need to answer for yourself and your family.
Clinton Griffiths is a TV newsman, turned magazine editor, with a passion for good stories. He believes the best life lessons can be found down a dirt road.
