Artificial Intelligence in Animal Science—A Tool for Learning, Farming, and the Future
By Katherine Paschall and Don Mulvaney
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many sectors, and animal science is no exception. From classrooms to cattle operations, AI holds promise for enhancing education, improving efficiency, advancing animal welfare, and supporting sustainability in agriculture. However, its successful integration hinges on thoughtful implementation, ethical use, and a willingness to adapt. The following discussion is guided by a recent Animal Frontiers issue volume 14, Issue 6, December 2024 which elegantly reviewed the topic.
AI in the Classroom: Supporting Deeper Learning
In academic settings, AI offers powerful potential when used as a supplement to—not a replacement for—critical thinking. Educators are encouraged to acknowledge the presence of AI and model appropriate, transparent use. For example, students have used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate flashcards, analogies, and practice quizzes, reinforcing foundational understanding and supporting the development of higher-order thinking skills.
Assignments that leverage AI can also challenge students to engage with content more deeply. In a graduate-level course on vitamins and minerals, students were tasked with writing grant proposals with AI as a supportive tool. While the technology provided structure and feedback, students were still expected to generate original ideas and demonstrate conceptual understanding. This kind of integration aligns with Bloom’s Taxonomy by promoting application, analysis, and creation—skills essential for the next generation of animal scientists.
As AI is becoming more commonplace in educational settings, faculty and students alike must navigate its ethical use and in some cases develop guidelines for usage. Concerns about AI-generated misinformation—or “hallucinations”—underscore the need for users to verify content and understand the limits of the technology. Equipping students with the ability to critically evaluate AI outputs not only builds digital literacy but also supports the development of personal and professional integrity.
AI on the Farm: Enhancing Animal Agriculture
In production settings, AI offers significant advantages in efficiency, animal welfare, and sustainability. Decision-making tools powered by AI can analyze real-time data to optimize feeding, monitor health, and improve productivity. One of AI’s most promising applications lies in its ability to detect and respond to changes in animal vitals, offering early detection and warnings for potential health issues. In the future, AI may help predict events such as calving or signs of illness, enabling more proactive and precise interventions.
The technology also plays a role in resource optimization. AI can help producers maximize outputs while minimizing inputs—such as feed, water, and energy—through complex algorithms and predictive modeling. As highlighted in the December 2024issue of Animal Frontiers, AI evaluates multiple decision pathways, selects the most advantageous outcome, and adapts to varying environmental conditions. This capability is particularly valuable as climate variability and resource constraints challenge traditional farming models.
Importantly, AI’s capacity to connect farmers globally—by drawing on solutions and data from diverse agricultural regions—can provide smaller or newer producers with access to knowledge and practices they might not otherwise encounter.
Barriers and Considerations
Despite these benefits, challenges remain. The effectiveness of AI depends on access to high-quality, diverse datasets—a resource not uniformly available across all production systems or geographic regions. Furthermore, the concentration of AI development within a few multinational corporations raises questions about data ownership, privacy, and long-term dependency.
Another barrier is cultural: trust in AI remains limited in many farming communities. Producers may hesitate to rely on technology that feels opaque or inconsistent with generational experience. Building this trust will require clear communication, demonstration of results, and collaborative engagement between researchers, extension educators, and producers.
The Path Forward
AI is not a replacement for human expertise, but a tool that—when used appropriately—can support more informed decision-making, whether in the classroom or on the farm. The success of AI in animal sciences depends on a balanced approach that acknowledges its potential, addresses its risks, and fosters responsible, ethical use.
As the field of animal science continues to evolve, integrating AI will require intentionality, curiosity, and collaboration. From helping students learn complex processes to assisting farmers with herd health and sustainability goals, AI offers a new set of tools to tackle old and emerging challenges. The opportunity lies in using these tools wisely and the bridging of the technical capabilities and use with innovative research and resultant shared forms of scholarship.
Paschall, employed with North Carolina Extension, is a recent graduate of an Issues in Animal Agriculture course and Auburn University Animal Sciences working with Mulvaney conducting research which provides insights into more effective methods and practices to transmit scientific animal agriculture research results to non-expert audiences in trustworthy, credible and understandable ways. This research seeks to develop models for practiced communication of evidence-based information which bridges the gap between animal ag and non-ag social sectors.
