Responsible development of digital livestock technologies for agricultural challenges: Purpose, practicality and effects are key considerations

Abstract

Digital livestock technologies (DLTs) are presented as solutions to grand challenges in post-Brexit British agricultural policy, such as climate change and food security. Evidence suggests technological solutions to agricultural challenges will be more effective with stakeholder and public engagement, yet there is little known about stakeholder views on these emerging technologies. We drew on responsible research and innovation, to analyse stakeholder perspectives on three case studies of DLT development through anticipatory focus groups with expert stakeholders in British animal agriculture. We found that stakeholders from broadly agroecological approaches to farming are at risk of exclusion from DLT development and policy, with negative implications for the ability of DLTs to resolve grand challenges in animal agriculture. We propose a heuristic framework of purpose, practicality and effects as key considerations for inclusive and responsible DLT development that contributes to ensuring effective solutions to grand challenges while avoiding wasted investments.