October 17–18, 2024
Emerging Technology Edge Intelligence Conference – ETCEI 2024, Volos. farmB’s founder as an invited speaker.
The 3rd Emerging Tech Edge Intelligence (ETCEI 2024) Conference, held on October 17 and 18 in Volos, aimed to highlight collaborative efforts between academic and research institutions and business structures in advanced technology sectors.
On the first day of the conference, farmB’s founder Prof. Dr. Dionysis Bochtis was invited as a speaker at the panel entitled “Using AI to boost and bolster the agrifood sector” Together with Dr Sotiris Bantas , President & CEO, Centaur, George Varvarelis , Global Engineering Director, Sense and Act @ CNH and Yiorgos Bontzios Chief Commercialization, Agroverse. The panel was moderated by Ioannis Anastasiou, Vice Governor of Digital Governance and Citizen Services for the Region of Thessaly.
The agrifood sector stands at a transformative crossroads, where artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical tool to enhance productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. The speakers highlighted the vast potential of AI in driving efficiency and sustainability within the sector. By leveraging advanced tools such as predictive analytics, farmers and agribusinesses can optimize resource use, minimize waste, and reduce operational costs. Additionally, the integration of AI into agricultural practices offers promising opportunities to support climate-smart farming, helping to mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing yields. AI’s ability to analyze large datasets in real time was also noted as a game-changer for decision-making, providing actionable insights for everything from crop management to market strategies.
However, the participants also mentioned several challenges that need to be addressed for AI to fulfill its promise. A key concern was the potential for access disparity, particularly for smallholder farmers who may struggle with the high costs or technical complexities of AI adoption. Data privacy was another critical issue raised, as the use of AI often requires extensive datasets, posing ethical questions about ownership and the protection of sensitive information. Furthermore, the discussion touched on the implications for the workforce, with some panelists expressing concern that AI could lead to the displacement of jobs, especially those involving routine cognitive tasks.
Despite these challenges, the panelists expressed optimism about AI’s role in agriculture. They emphasized that thoughtful implementation, supported by strong collaboration between policymakers, technology developers, and the agricultural community, could ensure a balanced and inclusive future. The speakers stressed the need for equitable access to AI solutions, transparent policies to safeguard data privacy, and robust upskilling programs to help workers adapt to AI-driven workflows.
The panel concluded on a positive note, suggesting that AI, when integrated thoughtfully, could act as a powerful ally in addressing critical issues like global food security and environmental sustainability. By working together, the agrifood sector can harness AI’s potential to create a smarter, greener, and more resilient future.
* The photographic material is sourced from the conference’s website.
