Dr. Ed Barnes

Director, Agricultural and Environmental Research|Cotton Incorporated

2026 Abstract - HOW ARE YOU USING AI TOOLS ON YOUR FARM?: Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its way into agriculture in both visible and behind-the-scenes ways. Early uses have included machine vision for weed detection and precision “detect-and-treat” spraying, as well as unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs) for crop imaging and spray applications. Now, more farmers are directly using general AI tools like Grok, ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot to: • Query and analyze farm records • Design equipment modifications • Compare insurance programs • Price farm inputs • Research agronomic and market information While these tools can be powerful, they are not infallible—AI can make mistakes, so it’s important to verify answers, especially when financial or safety decisions are involved. This discussion-focused session will invite you to share: • Examples of where AI has helped in your operation • Areas where you wish AI could offer new solutions • Challenges you’ve faced in putting AI to work on your farm Whether you farm cotton, rice, corn, soybeans, or all of the above, your insights will help others learn how AI is being used on real farms today—and where it could go next. Come ready to share your stories, ideas, and questions.