# Plain Language Summary of the Farm Tech Act

The Farm Tech Act creates a new certification program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve artificial intelligence software used in farming. Basically, if a farmer wants to use AI-powered technology to do agricultural work—whether that's self-driving tractors, automated pesticide spraying, robotic livestock care, or other farming tasks—the software would need to get official approval from the USDA before being used. The certification would be based on standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is the government's tech safety organization.

To get certified, AI software would have to meet two main requirements: it has to work accurately, and it has to perform at least as well as a human would be required to perform under existing laws. This means if a human doing the same job needs a commercial driver's license, the AI software would need to meet those same driver's license standards. If a human needs to be a certified pesticide applicator, the AI would need to meet those certification standards too. The bill covers a wide range of farming tasks, including operating self-driving farm vehicles, applying manure or pesticides, handling hazardous materials, caring for livestock, and veterinary work.

The practical effect is that farmers and agricultural companies developing or using AI technology would need to go through a certification process before deploying these tools on their farms. This could slow down adoption of new technology in the short term, but it's designed to ensure that AI systems work reliably and safely before they're used in real farming operations. The USDA would have the authority to create the specific rules and testing procedures for how this certification program actually works.

Farm Tech Act

Feenstra, Randy

Farm Tech ActThis bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a program to certify software that uses artificial intelligence to perform a task in connection with producing agricultural products. The program must be based on the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.In order for USDA to certify software under the program, the software must&nbsp;(1) perform accurately; and (2) consistently meet&nbsp;or exceed the federal and state licensure, certification, and permitting standards applicable to a person performing the task. (The bill includes requirements for these&nbsp;standards.)USDA must prescribe any regulations necessary or appropriate to carry out this bill.&nbsp;