Senators Blunt Rochester Joins Group of Bipartisan Senators in Introducing FARM AI Act to Expand Access to Technology for American Farmers

Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today joined Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), in introducing the Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence (FARM AI) Act. The bill would increase capital for AI projects through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants and ensure USDA programs are deployed to educate farmers on the latest AI technologies to advance American production. By investing in agricultural workforce development, this bipartisan legislation will expand access to AI in farming, enabling America's producers to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.

"Emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, offer an opportunity to advance innovation across all industries, but not without access to proper resources and training. The FARM AI Act will increase investments in the agricultural industry's use of AI and ensure rural communities are empowered to successfully harness its promise," said Senator Blunt Rochester.

"AI technologies are advancing at a rapid pace, and if we fail to address the barriers of access to AI deployment in agriculture, America's producers will fall behind. Precision technologies have the potential to enhance innovation and productivity in farming and ranching, but outdated USDA programs are holding this potential back from reaching our rural communities. I am proud to be leading the bipartisan FARM AI Act to unlock the untapped potential of AI technology to advance American agriculture," said Senator Budd.

"We must ensure that America's farmers and ranchers are not left behind in utilizing AI innovations and cutting edge technologies to keep our food systems and rural economies strong. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the FARM AI Act, because American agriculture must have access to AI advances to stay competitive in our increasingly global economy," said Senator Schiff.

"Nevada's farmers and ranchers work hard every day to help American families put food on the table. New artificial intelligence technology could help the agriculture industry cut costs, boost productivity, and expand U.S. competitiveness. That's why I'm proud to support bipartisan legislation to responsibly invest in this technology to help farmers and ranchers across the country," said Senator Cortez Masto.

"Artificial intelligence has real potential to transform agriculture operations, particularly with regard to precision technologies and data management. Our legislation would support the use of AI in agriculture by giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture more authority to prioritize AI in their research and extension programs," said Senator Rounds.

Read the full bill text HERE.

The Farm AI Act would:

• Add AI Development as a Priority Research Area Under the USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI): Modifying the AFRI will enable more research into AI and workforce development to develop and deploy AI technologies on farms.

• Emphasize AI as an Explicit Focus for Research Under USDA's Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA): Amending the focus of the AgARDA will further expand AI research for more complex projects.

• Ensure Extension Teaches Farmers How to Harness the Benefits of AI: Ensuring USDA Extension provides outreach and education to farmers on the adoption and responsible use of AI systems will rapidly increase the productivity and security of rural communities.

• Expand Agricultural Workforce Training to Include AI and Precision Agriculture: Expanding USDA grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education to fund workforce development and technical training programs in rural communities on artificial intelligence and precision agriculture will equip the next generation of agricultural workers with the skills needed to adopt and utilize modern farming technologies.

• Nominate a Senior USDA Official to Serve as the AI in Ag Advisor: Nominating a senior official under USDA's AFRI will ensure grants and outreach programs are tailored to include AI development and implementation, along with ensuring USDA collaborates with the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish national AI standards for the agriculture sector.