A Comprehensive Framework for Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) in AI-Driven Precision Agriculture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64882/ijrt.v14.iS1.1153Keywords:
Ethical Impact Assessment, Precision Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Responsible AI, Agricultural Ethics, Sustainable Farming, Data GovernanceAbstract
The swift infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the landscape of precision agriculture has fundamentally reshaped the industry. By transitioning from traditional methods to data-centric paradigms, AI has unlocked unprecedented levels of resource efficiency and harvest predictability. Innovations such as computer vision for localized pest management, predictive analytics for yield optimization, and autonomous hardware are now at the forefront of the global movement toward food security and climate resilience. However, this digital metamorphosis is a double-edged sword. The rise of AI- driven farming brings forth urgent ethical dilemmas, ranging from the erosion of data privacy and algorithmic inequities to the potential marginalization of smallholder communities. To address these challenges, this research introduces a specialized Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) framework. This proactive methodology is designed to weave principles of fairness, transparency, and environmental stewardship into the entire lifecycle of agricultural AI—spanning from initial conceptualization to real-world monitoring. By fostering a collaborative environment involving agronomists, tech developers, and local farmers, the EIA framework ensures that the future of farming is not only technologically advanced but also socially just and ethically sound.
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