While there are a multitude of benefits that come from introducing artificial intelligence (AI) in the ag retail space, there are going to be challenges as well.
Three leaders from Bushel, Taranis and AgVend are addressing common concerns.
Sensitive Agronomic And Business Data
Co-founder of Bushel, Ryan Raguse, says he understands the importance of managing data used in the business of agriculture, and he shares analogies to help understand security and privacy.
“Security is like the doors on the building locked and privacy is not telling everybody what’s in the building,” Raguse says. “In my perspective, you’ve got to have maximum security.”
The Inevitability of Artificial Intelligence
Chief commercial officer for Taranis, Jason Minton, encourages retailers to realize they are already using AI within their daily lives and to embrace the opportunities of what’s possible specific to ag retail.
“In the very near future, it’s going to be part of our lives and everything we do,” he says. “Specifically for you as ag retailers, I believe it’ll be part of your business, and it’ll be informing your people even more than today, and helping them do the best job to drive more yield on the acre. Farmers are going to be more happy with you and your business, because you’ll be enabled with AI to do more with less.”
Can AI Replace the Ag Retailer?
“AI cannot replace the trust and relationships between ag retailers and their customers,” says Eli Rosenberg, co-founder and chief product officer at AgVend. “At AgVend, our perspective on AI in ag retail aligns with our broader view of advanced technology’s role.
We believe AI will unlock timely and transformative recommendations; however, these recommendations will ultimately be reviewed and delivered by a trusted professional.”
