Neville Stein considers the impact of artificial intelligence

In 2023 it seemed that science fiction almost became a reality with the seemingly rapid rise, at least in our collective consciousness, of artificial intelligence (AI). Whilst many analysts rightly point out the risks and dangers; lack of transparency and explainability, job losses through automation and social manipulation with the use of algorithms, to name just a few, there could be many benefits, particularly in our sector. Until recently using the letters AI and horticulture in the same sentence might have seemed unusual, nevertheless, our sector is becoming increasingly high-tech as growers look to reduce input costs with the adoption of the latest technology. How then might we see AI play a part in horticulture?

The modern world of large-scale horticultural enterprises is going to be all about data. AI will be able to collect insights into the health of the growing media, plant nutrition requirements, and weather conditions and will be able to provide data on the correct rates of fertiliser and pesticide applications. But AI will also produce cost savings – using it to monitor crops will enable precision growing – facilitating higher yields with fewer inputs. AI is going to also save a huge amount of time – imagine the cost of using a staff member to detect a leak in the irrigation system. AI will be able to do this (and monitor changes in water pressure and flow) thereby releasing that staff member to be engaged in more cognitive tasks! Of course, many growers are already using data to inform their decision making but AI will enable more data to be captured across a much wider range of criteria, and this data collection and analyse ability will be more affordable than robotics.

Much of large-scale horticulture is hard manual work and attracting staff is difficult often resulting in significant labour shortages.  Thankfully, automation can provide a solution without the need to take on more staff. Take for example how AI, combined with existing machinery can result in driverless tractors. A good example of this is the ‘Hands-free Hectare’ project run by Seale Hayne. The combination of mechanical robots and AI will, in the future solve the labour shortage and be more efficient and accurate.

A huge amount of discussion around AI has centred on manufacturing and growing crops – understandably because typically the largest cost is labour. But how will AI be used to enhance your customers’ experience? We might be a long way from fully embracing it in the garden retail sector but there is no doubt AI can be used to reduce costs and improve efficiency and accuracy and the customer experience. What does this look like for the garden centre sector? We are not sure yet but we do know tech can be used in-store now to create immersive and engaging experiences for customers. As a grower, you could use 360-degree videos on your website to showcase your plant offer; use drone footage to give a bird’s eye view of the production facilities; or provide your customers with up-to-the-minute crop data. These things are possible now, but we know that AI will enable them to be commonplace, easy to implement and low-cost.

So, AI could provide an exciting opportunity for our sector but as with everything there are downsides! Ethics and goodwill could be compromised and there could be a loss of human influence, creativity and emotional expression in the workplace. So, whilst AI might provide us with opportunities in horticulture to improve the bottom line, let’s not forget that the real joy of this sector is the interaction we have, the common bond of being horticulturalists and the joy of meeting face-to-face to talk about plants.