Public summary

Responsible AI use in Autonomous Harvesting Machines

Pixelfarming Robotics

February 27, 2025

Ethical and legal challenges of AI in agricultural robots

AI is playing an increasingly significant role in autonomous agricultural systems. Pixelfarming Robotics, in collaboration with Wageningen Research and the ELSA Lab, explored how the ethical, legal, and social aspects of AI can be better assessed. During an ELSA workshop, topics such as transparency, liability, AI legislation, and privacy were examined to improve the acceptance and responsible development of AI-driven agricultural robots.

Innovation package, use case, and type of trial

    Status: evaluation report

    Stakeholder impact

    Menu card category

    Broad research question

    How can AI be applied in agriculture in a more transparent and secure way?

    The implementation of AI in autonomous agricultural robots raises questions about safety, legislation, and public acceptance. This study focuses on improving the ELSA scan, a method for mapping the impact of AI on sustainability and responsible innovation.

    Approach

    Workshop with experts and practical testing

    During the ELSA workshop, two employees from Pixelfarming Robotics and a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture discussed:

    • Transparency and accountability of AI decisions

    • Liability and legal frameworks

    • Privacy and data management within Robot Union

    • Sustainability and societal impact

    The insights gained contribute to improving the ELSA scan and making it more broadly applicable to AI developments in agriculture.

    Goal

    Improving the ELSA scan for AI in agriculture

    This project aimed to:

    • Gain better insights into how AI can contribute to sustainability.

    • Identify the risks and benefits of autonomous agricultural robots.

    • Adapt the ELSA scan based on feedback to better align with real-world practice.

    Results and reflection

    Key considerations for responsible AI development

    The workshop provided valuable insights into how AI can be deployed more safely and transparently in agriculture.

    Successes:

    • Transparency in AI decision-making was identified as crucial.

    • The importance of using simple algorithms for basic tasks was emphasized.

    • The built-in stop mechanism contributes to the robot’s safety.

    Lessons learned:

    • Additional training and certification for operators is desirable for the safe use of AI robots.

    • Knowledge of AI legislation is still limited, requiring attention as the technology scales up.

    • Privacy and data management within Robot Union need clear guidelines for broader implementation.

    Leading Partners involved