Invited paper Artificial intelligence and the future of animal husbandry: rethinking knowledge, practice, and governance

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the foundations of animal science and livestock production, reshaping not only practices but also the epistemological frameworks within which knowledge is created and applied. This article critically examines the role of AI in animal husbandry, arguing that it should be regarded not merely as a substitutive tool, but as a modificative force capable of redefining farming systems, decision-making, and the valuation of knowledge itself. The discussion first addresses the implications of AI for education and expertise in animal science, highlighting the risks of obsolescence in traditional curricula and the need to cultivate skills that transcend algorithmic capacities. It then considers the technical and organisational imperatives of data standardisation, which is essential to ensure interoperability, reproducibility, and scalability of AI systems in livestock contexts. Applications of AI, including precision livestock farming, computer vision, multimodal behavioural analysis, and integral farm management systems, are reviewed with emphasis on their potential to enhance efficiency, welfare, and sustainability. The article further explores governance challenges, including asymmetries of algorithmic control, global inequalities in adoption, and the tension between data privacy and efficiency. Finally, ethical considerations are examined, with particular attention to animal welfare, responsible AI governance, and the necessity of maintaining human agency in the Age of AI Knowledge. The analysis concludes that while AI offers transformative opportunities for livestock production, its integration must be guided by robust regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, and a renewed commitment to human responsibility in assigning value, direction, and meaning to technological innovation.