Dedicated gardeners may quietly converse with their beloved blooms when no one is around. However, at the upcoming Chelsea Flower Show, attendees will be invited to engage in dialogue with the very first AI-powered garden.
Horticulturalist Tom Massey collaborated with Microsoft to develop Avanade’s “intelligent” garden. Soil sensors paired with AI technology, trained on plant information and gardening tips from the Royal Horticultural Society, enable visitors to inquire about the garden’s progress.
Massey remarked, “Perhaps that’s the solution. It appears he requires more water. Perhaps a trim.”
Aside from enhancing gardening enjoyment and convenience, Massey suggested a broader range of potential uses. Wireless sensors concealed in the soil monitor moisture, nutrient levels, acidity, and alkalinity, all linked to a computer system in a garden pavilion for public viewing.
He proposed that this straightforward sensor technology could be implemented across expansive sites. Rather than installing automated watering systems with fixed schedules, plants receive water only when the soil moisture dips below a specified threshold. This method conserves water.
“We are squandering a significant amount of water, endangering London’s water supply in the near future,” he cautioned. “Consider the potential water savings on a large-scale development if water usage is restricted to necessity. Traditional irrigation systems dispense water regularly, whether required or not.”
Regarding the garden’s design, Massey emphasized that it won’t be futuristic. “We aimed for a verdant, natural, rural ambiance.” Alongside mushrooms, the garden includes climate-resilient trees overseen by AI assistants and plentiful serene greenery. It’s a standout feature.
RHS has optimized the system for energy efficiency. John Simpson, the association’s IT director, explained, “In the realm of AI, the query arises: Does data center usage increase energy consumption? While it could be detrimental, the key lies in how it’s utilized. We’re training a more conventional AI model with the RHS database, essentially a compact language model, which is notably efficient and effective.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
