This week's update covers how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing farming around the world, but not everyone is happy about it. Big technology companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are working with large farming companies to create smart farming systems that use computers and robots to make farming decisions. These systems can tell farmers how much fertilizer to use, when to spray pesticides, and where to plant crops.

However, many people are worried about these changes. Small and medium-sized farms are struggling because they cannot afford the expensive AI tools that big farms can buy. Researchers say that while companies promise these systems will help the environment by using less pesticide and fertilizer, the evidence does not always support this claim. In fact, pesticide and fertilizer use have actually increased since precision agriculture became popular.

On the bright side, some good news came from research about what farmers' helpers—called crop advisors—really want from AI tools. Scientists found that advisors prefer AI systems that help them make better decisions, not replace their judgment. They also care a lot about data ownership and fair prices.

Another exciting development is the use of self-driving laboratories that use AI to run experiments all by themselves. One company called Atinary created a robot lab that can run 200 to 400 experiments per day—work that would take a human scientist five years to complete. This technology is helping scientists develop new products much faster, sometimes in weeks instead of years.

The main takeaway is that AI is transforming agriculture, but people are asking important questions about who benefits from these changes and whether they are truly making farms more sustainable and fair.