Document type: scientific review published in AI and Ethics
Authors: Bosschaert, M.T., Gremmen, B.
Abstract in French (translation): animal welfare in the digital age: computer vision in the context of fundamental structures
Computer vision is an emerging technology in the field ofprecision farming, which combines camera systems with artificial intelligence to monitor animal welfare. While animal ethics specialists recognize its potential benefits, they also raise concerns about possible negative repercussions on animal welfare. This article argues that the response to ethical concerns cannot be limited to solutions targeting isolated ethical risks; rather, potential solutions must take into account the technology’s embeddedness in broader societal structures. This article will focus on fundamental structures—that is, those concerning how the world is experienced and understood, and what is taken for granted. Over the centuries, humans have increasingly delegated tasks to machines and, in doing so, have standardized the world. This process has fostered growing trust in the outcomes of (digital) technologies. These developments have altered human experience and understanding of the world in various ways. Farmers, as members of society, are unlikely to escape this trend. Consequently, reflection on computer vision must extend beyond the scope of agricultural practices and take into account these fundamental structures that are currently reshaping society as a whole. Examining computer vision as an integral part of these fundamental structures reveals that ethical issues are also embedded within them; therefore, potential solutions must take these into account to increase their effectiveness.
Preview: Computer Vision is an emerging technology within Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), combining camera systems with artificial intelligence to monitor animal welfare. While animal ethicists recognize its potential benefits, they also raise concerns about possible negative implications for animal welfare. This paper argues that addressing ethical concerns cannot rely on solutions targeting isolated ethical risks; rather, potential solutions must account for the technology’s embeddedness within society-wide structures. The focus in this paper will be on foundational structures, these structures concern how the world is experienced and understood, what is taken as self-evident. Over centuries, humans have increasingly delegated tasks to machines and standardized the world in doing so. This process has fostered growing trust in the outcomes of (digital) technologies. These developments have changed human experience and understanding of the world in various ways. Farmers, as members of society, are unlikely to be exempt from this trend. Therefore, reflection on Computer Vision must go beyond the farming practice and take into account these foundational structures that are currently reshaping society at large. Computer Vision examined as embedded within foundational structures demonstrates that ethical issues are also embedded within these structures, consequently, potential solutions must take account of them to increase their effectiveness.
