As of 2 days ago, one of the world's biggest agriculture companies, Bayer has confirmed that their facilities are using an AI system to help tackle the stubborn and dangerous nature of new weeds. The system's name is called CropKey, and contains a database of chemicals and proteins for analysis.
What does CropKey do?
CropKey helps match the protein structure within the weed to the specific chemical that can be used to break the protein down. By identifying the new chemical variants within adapting weeds, farmers can more efficiently target and eliminate plants that will interfere with their land. CropKey has enabled Bayer to release the "first new herbicide in 30 years".
Herbicides, designed to kill weeds, have never useful for long-term application in the past. Why? The answer is that weeds develop an immunity to the herbicide and grow stronger than before. Therefore, the fast paced, adaptive nature of weeds is fascinating, but devastating in reality. However, with the time-efficient and meticulously planned database of CropKey, agriculture companies can find the most beneficial herbicide that will tackle present weeds.
Studies have shown that with the introduction of AI in agricultural innovations, the whole process from idea to market purchase will take a third of the time as compared to firms' strategy before. The Wall Street Journal reports that AI databases like CropKey will "reduce the amount of lab and field tests by 30%". Not only does this save time, but also money in the long run. With CropKey, Bayer is planning to release the "first new herbicide in over 30 years". I am excited for the reaction time of AI databases, and in the future, am curious to see how trustworthy AI will be in the long term.
My Take:
I have noticed the skepticism about herbicides' impact considering the ever-evolving nature of weeds, but we need to realize that weeds will always adapt. Adaption is one of the core characteristics of a living thing. I believe that the integration of AI systems will allow new weeds to be addressed quicker than before, allowing farmers to help sustain their farms, which ultimately are directly producing the fruits and vegetables that we all consume. This allows our food to be grown more efficiently than before. AI is having a direct impact on our quality of nutrition, and ultimately every-day life, and I for one am excited about the benefits it presents in our future.
AI In Agriculture
Here is the Wall Street Journal Report on Bayer:
https://www.wsj.com/science/environment/super-weed-killer-ai-8105de6a
