How to leverage AI to build a better society

The big picture: Artificial intelligence is being deployed across multiple sectors to address critical challenges in farming, conservation, and medical care, while helping reduce humanity’s environmental impact.

Agricultural applications and challenges: Climate change and population growth are putting unprecedented pressure on global food production systems, requiring innovative technological solutions.

• Professor Patrick Schnable of Iowa State University warns that climate change could cause catastrophic 10-20% reductions in corn yields
• AI-powered precision agriculture tools, including drones and sensors, help farmers optimize crop management and resource usage
• Companies like John Deere and Stout are developing AI-guided equipment for automated planting, weeding, and crop monitoring
• Digital Green is implementing multilingual AI chatbots to assist farmers in India, Kenya, and Ethiopia with specific agricultural advice

Water management innovations: AI systems are being developed to address critical water scarcity issues and improve irrigation efficiency.

• A 2024 machine learning study found that California’s Central Valley could reduce water consumption by 93% through crop diversification
• AI-directed irrigation systems help optimize water usage while maintaining crop yields
• Technology is helping farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and water availability

Environmental conservation efforts: AI tools are enhancing conservation efforts through improved monitoring and prediction capabilities.

• Satellite imagery combined with AI helps detect illegal logging and identify areas needing restoration
• Machine learning algorithms analyze migratory patterns and predict potential poaching activities
• Environmental DNA analysis provides detailed ecosystem insights
• AI-powered systems in Wisconsin adjust wind turbine speeds to protect rare birds

Healthcare transformation: AI is revolutionizing medical care through improved diagnostics and administrative efficiency.

• The FDA recently approved the first AI-powered skin cancer diagnostic tool
• AI models are enhancing diabetes treatment through automated glucose monitoring and insulin delivery
• Machine learning is accelerating clinical trial processes and drug development
• Healthcare data standardization remains a significant challenge for AI implementation

Looking ahead: While AI offers powerful solutions for societal challenges, important considerations remain regarding energy consumption, data quality, and ethical implications.

• ChatGPT searches consume 10 times more energy than standard Google searches
• AI systems require careful data curation and maintenance to remain effective
• Privacy concerns and ethical considerations must be balanced against technological capabilities
• Success depends on properly identifying problems before applying AI solutions

The integration of AI into these crucial sectors represents a significant opportunity for positive societal impact, but requires thoughtful implementation and consideration of both technical and human factors to achieve optimal results.