Cannabis Agriculture
Posted on October 22, 2024
Now I have been using AI for a lot of things lately, and I agree, in a lot of industries, AI can make people wary. The company OpenAI, the program AlphaGo that impressively mastered the art of the game Go, proving AI was more capable than originally thought, Clearview AI, the facial recognition software that has outstandingly scanned billions of photos of people, intruding on millions of people’s privacy (They are in big trouble). These can all be calls for concern, yes.
I’m not convinced though that the cons outweigh the pros. There are other areas, like in agriculture, specifically in Cannabis Agriculture, that are taking AI technology to new heights and developing efficient methods in cultivation. Let’s set aside the sci-fi doom and gloom for a moment and take a closer look at what AI is actually doing in the cannabis industry.
Addium, an agricultural technology company, has collaborated with over 34,000 groups to advance farming techniques, including Aroya, a division of METER Group Inc., dedicated to cannabis. They offer AI metering tools that provide real-time data and analytics to cultivators, reducing manual tasks and allowing staff to focus on more complex responsibilities.
AI is transforming cannabis cultivation by using sensors and data analytics to monitor soil conditions, temperature, humidity, and light levels in real time. This approach helps optimize resource management, enhancing yield and quality. For example, AI algorithms determine the exact amount of water or nutrients needed, which reduces waste and promotes sustainable practices (Cannabis Tech, 2023). Additionally, AI technology analyzes historical data to optimize planting and harvesting times, and computer vision detects pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies much faster than human observation, preventing crop loss (Greenhouse Grower, 2022).
The retail side of the cannabis industry also benefits from AI. AI-powered recommendation engines provide personalized product suggestions based on a user’s purchase history and preferences, which improves customer satisfaction and drives sales (Forbes, 2023). Predictive algorithms forecast demand, automate restocking, and manage inventory, helping retailers maintain profitability and reduce waste (MJBizDaily, 2023). Furthermore, AI systems ensure product quality and regulatory compliance by analyzing vast amounts of data to meet standards and avoid costly errors (Cannabis Industry Journal, 2023).
Sure, AI might conjure up dystopian vibes. Sure, there might be some challenges along the way, but if used thoughtfully, AI can be a game-changer, it already is — proving that even in a world of high-tech algorithms and data-driven insights, there’s always room for a little green magic. Let’s be real — when it comes to the cannabis industry, AI is more like a helpful buddy than a rogue machine overlord, and all sorts of industries have been equally benefited if not more than this one. If I still haven’t convinced you and you think we are too late in stopping it, at least you can now take a front row seat, sit back and relax, and grab a beer. Even better, light up a jay and know what you are smoking is some of the best quality stuff around.
Sources:
- Cannabis Tech (2023). “AI in Cannabis Cultivation: The Future of Smart Growing.”
- Greenhouse Grower (2022). “How AI is Revolutionizing Crop Management in Cannabis.”
- Forbes (2023). “The Role of AI in Transforming Cannabis Retail.”
- MJBizDaily (2023). “AI-Driven Inventory Management: A Game Changer for Cannabis Retailers.”
- Cannabis Industry Journal (2023). “Ensuring Compliance in the Cannabis Industry with AI."