AI technologies have already become part of everyday life, changing our habits, work, and leisure. Alongside that, concern about automation’s impact on the labor market is naturally growing. Agriculture, where AI adoption is accelerating, is no exception: will the technology displace people, and what does that mean for employment in the sector? To see a fuller picture, it is worth moving beyond the rhetoric of ‘threat or the end of work’ and looking at how AI can actually empower farmers and agronomists.

Why sustainable agriculture still cannot do without agronomists

Agricultural universities around the world are facing declining enrollment, and the market is already feeling the shortage of specialists. According to a 2015 USDA study, the U.S. food and agricultural sectors needed about 57,900 graduates each year, while agricultural programs were producing only around 35,400 specialists. The situation is worsened by an aging workforce, lower interest among young people, and urbanization. At the same time, demand for sustainable farming practices is only increasing, which means the role of experts able to advise farmers is also growing.

AI offers scalable support: advisory platforms based on it generate personalized recommendations on sustainable farming, crop management, and business processes. The technology helps agronomists support more farms without losing the quality of interaction. At the same time, specialists retain the leading role: they train and supervise AI systems, monitor the relevance of recommendations, solve complex field challenges, and build trust in relationships with farmers.

Labor shortages: how AI fills the gaps

The agricultural sector chronically faces worker shortages, especially during peak seasons for labor-intensive crops. According to the International Fresh Produce Association, a 10% reduction in labor availability leads to a 4.2% drop in fruit and vegetable production. A 21% shortage results in a 9% production decline and annual losses of $5 billion in the United States. The gap between labor demand and availability is widening, so innovative solutions are needed.

Automation and AI make it possible to optimize critical processes — from planting to harvest — and direct limited human resources to where they are needed most. This is not about replacing workers, but about supporting and backing them up so that crops can be harvested on time and at the right quality.

Data as the foundation of resilient supply chains

Despite active digitization, the industry has an acute need for accurate data. It is essential for productivity, traceability, resilience, and regulatory compliance, especially given the large number of farms involved in supply chains. If you do not measure, you cannot improve: without reliable information, progress slows and some people may leave the sector.

AI makes data collection easier through remote and automated approaches, reducing the burden on farmers while providing critically important information. Still, it is not yet possible to fully automate every aspect of farming — some stages remain manual. Some companies have already taken this into account and created AI-based solutions that embed data collection into everyday communication through familiar channels such as WhatsApp and Viber, actively motivating farmers to provide information on a regular basis.

Democratizing access to AI

Looking ahead, the task is to make artificial intelligence tools accessible to every farmer, regardless of the size or location of the operation. Democratizing AI means practical benefits for everyone, including smallholders. At the same time, such systems must be built according to responsible AI principles — with transparency, fairness, and ethics prioritized at every stage.

Conclusion

Fears about job loss due to AI are understandable, but a more productive perspective is to treat it as a tool for augmenting people. In agriculture, AI does not replace agronomists; it helps address labor shortages, strengthens decision-making, and opens the possibility of providing advisory support to farms around the world. By addressing workforce challenges, supporting the training of new specialists, and enabling accurate data collection, artificial intelligence can become a catalyst for innovation and prosperity. The future of agriculture lies in the interaction between people and technology, leading to a more resilient and productive industry.