Projects from Year 1 and Year 2 have gathered information on the research and development process within AIFS and learned the specific issues facing farmers. The researchers found that current AIFS research, development, and technology transfer depend on data and partnerships outside of AIFS. Additionally, the team conducted interviews on the challenges faced by farmers in acquiring labor and complying with regulations, both of which interact directly with barriers and opportunities for AI. For Year 3, the researchers will build on the information they have already gather to add three main areas to their body of work.

First, they will evaluate and refine an ethics framework aimed at recognizing the implications of various research processes. second, the team will interview more California farmers to widen the stakeholder group. In addition to farmers, researchers will add new perspectives by interviewing regulators, farm advisers, labor groups, ag tech developers, and food processors. This will provide a more holistic perspective of the challenges to adopting AI technologies in the food space. Finally, the team will look at the economic benefits of applying advanced technology in real world scenarios. Comprehensive efforts like this project further AIFS mission to further AI infrastructure and support healthy food systems.