Title : Agricultural professionals perspectives on the adoption of responsible human centred ai in smart agriculture: A comparative study of the UK and Malta
Abstract:
The integration of Responsible Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (RHCAI) into agricultural practices presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in regions with diverse agricultural landscapes and regulatory environments. This study explores how agricultural professionals in the United Kingdom and Malta perceive and respond to the adoption of RHCAI within the context of smart agriculture. It aims to understand how awareness, regulatory frameworks, and professional attitudes influence the adoption of AI tools in everyday agricultural practice. AI remains at an early stage of adoption within the agricultural sector, especially in small and medium-scale farming systems. While policy discussions around responsible AI have intensified across the UK and the European Union, there remains a gap in understanding how such principles translate into practice at the farm level. By comparing the UK and Malta, two countries with contrasting climates, economic structures, and policy landscapes, this research provides a nuanced understanding of how RHCAI is interpreted and operationalised in different national settings. This study employs a structured literature review methodology, focusing on peer-reviewed publications, policy documents, and institutional reports published between 2020 and 2025. Sources were drawn from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and were analysed thematically to identify patterns related to awareness, policy alignment, ethical concerns, and barriers to adoption. Findings suggest that while there is growing interest in the potential of AI to enhance productivity and sustainability, awareness and understanding of RHCAI among agricultural professionals remain limited. Differences in digital infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and sector-specific guidance contribute to uneven levels of adoption. The study highlights the need for clearer, context-sensitive policies and support mechanisms that align technological innovation with ethical and practical considerations in agriculture. This research contributes to the wider discourse on digital transformation in agriculture by centring the perspectives of professionals directly affected by AI integration. It offers insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to develop inclusive, responsible, and effective pathways for implementing AI in agriculture across varied regional contexts. The findings also lay the groundwork for the development of practical guidance materials and policy recommendations tailored to the UK and Maltese agricultural sectors.
