When Beanstalk began running AI lunch and learns for agribusinesses this year, most questions were about which tools to use. Boards are now asking how that use should be governed.
Beanstalk Director Cal Archibald explains the change, why writing an AI policy is the easy part, and the role of AI champions.

At Beanstalk, we’re pretty bullish about the potential benefits of AI in agribusiness. It’s tempting to think of AI as a magic bullet, and it certainly can deliver some quick wins. But from our experience, AI tools are delivering the most benefit to the agribusinesses that have already built the right foundation for it to land on.

Agriculture was humanity's first technology: the deliberate working with and influencing natural systems to feed ourselves, beginning around 10,000 years ago. Every leap since; irrigation, mechanisation, the Green Revolution, genomics, all extended that same project. AI is the newest tool and the next evolution in the oldest thing we do. Which is why it's crucial we harness it correctly.

A few months ago we rolled out an AI tool to the whole Beanstalk team. It has been a wild learning journey; and exciting for a team that spends its time advising other organisations on innovation strategy, to be in the hot seat innovating ourselves.