FARM AI Act of 2026

The Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026, or FARM AI Act, aims to significantly increase access to and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the agricultural sector. Congress identifies AI as crucial for improving farm productivity, enhancing decision-making, developing precision technologies, and expanding economic opportunities for farms of all sizes. The bill underscores the necessity for federal guidance, coordination, and technical assistance to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI in agriculture. A core provision of the bill is the inclusion of artificial intelligence as a priority area across several Department of Agriculture (USDA) research, extension, and education programs. This involves amending existing acts like AFRI to support AI research and development for precision agriculture, farm management, and cybersecurity. The legislation also mandates the development of workforce development and technical training programs focused on computing systems, AI, and precision agriculture adoption. To oversee these initiatives, the Act establishes an Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This Advisor will be responsible for promoting AI and digital agriculture technologies nationwide, providing technical assistance, and offering workforce training. Additionally, the Advisor will collaborate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and implement national AI standards specifically for the agriculture sector.