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As artificial intelligence is applied in more and more settings, entomologists say it is boosting efficiency in insect science, as well, but it still requires careful human oversight.
Ric Bessin, Ph.D., from the University of Kentucky, describes how AI facilitated the translation of pesticide applicator training materials into Spanish. This use of AI significantly boosted the state extension program's capability and capacity for outreach, despite some minor caveats.
Alison Gerken, Ph.D., a research quantitative ecologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shares insights on using AI-based computer vision and image analysis for detecting and identifying stored-product insect pests in grain environments. While accuracy in pest identification remains a challenge, the technology shows great promise for monitoring in complex systems.
Elizabeth Postema, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at the Field Museum, discusses the application of AI in museum curation and digitization. This includes its use in studying the ecology and evolution of insect color. AI enhances efficiency in these tasks, acting as a supportive tool to human involvement rather than a replacement.
Ted Pavlic, Ph.D., an associate professor at Arizona State University, presents his research on using AI to understand how complex social structures, such as dominance hierarchies in ants like Harpegnathos saltator, emerge from simple individual behaviors. AI aids in managing complex data more efficiently, but human oversight is necessary to ensure authentic behavioral responses from synthetic stimuli.
The article also explores AI's role in the generation and processing of scientific publications. It references a table created for the ESA Publications Council, which informs guidelines for AI use in publishing, research, peer review, and editing. This approach aims to embrace innovation while maintaining scientific rigor and authenticity, requiring periodic revisions.