Artificial intelligence isn’t new, but the introduction of ChatGPT to the masses in November 2022 propelled the conversation to a whole new level. In agriculture, discussions abound on how data and AI can impact farm production, including everything from precision agriculture to monitoring herd health. And while many farmers are grappling with how their operations could use AI on the farm, one thing is clear: AI is already making an impact on education, health care, and how consumers learn about food, nutrition, and farm production.
Survey data from the Walton Family Foundation found that of more than 2,000 students and teachers, one-third of students ages 12 to 17 and 51% of teachers report using ChatGPT for school. Uses for ChatGPT include lesson planning, idea generation, and building background knowledge of a topic.
In health care settings, 10% of professionals report using AI technologies, and more than 50% plan to use AI in the future for data entry, appointment scheduling, medical research, and diagnosis and treatment. For nutrition professionals, AI applications can support the creation of tailored meal plans, clinical notes, and health education materials.
Adoption of AI may outpace the development of guidelines for safe and effective implementation. With significant advancement in AI technology, policies are needed to ensure consumer access to credible, accurate, and up-to-date information, especially about health and nutrition. Educators, researchers, and developers need to train and test AI to avoid misinterpreting science and misguiding the public.
At Dairy Council of California, we are testing and monitoring AI with a keen understanding that these tools can significantly impact how children and families learn about food and nutrition. From the school environment to the doctor’s office and on personal cell phones and home computers, AI will increasingly impact how people receive information about food and nutrition, which ultimately may influence their perceptions of agriculture, guide their purchasing habits, and affect their food choices and eating patterns.
Learn more about AI and other trends identified as part of Dairy Council of California’s 2024 Trends report here.
