Digital Assistant Tool From Koppert Coming in 2024
December 22, 2023 What began in a greenhouse and journeyed into the field is now entering the digital domain. For more than 50 years, Koppert has been pushing agricultural innovation with natural solutions, smart application devices, and automated monitoring and scouting tools. In 2024, the company is taking the next step with the introduction of a digital assistant.
Koppert’s new digital assistant will combine the best of the digital and physical worlds, with around-the-clock access to a world of knowledge and support.
“Through our conversations with growers, we are able to provide the right solution for their crop protection challenges. We are embracing digital technologies to make those conversations available 24/7,” says Gabriel van der Kruijk, Digital Transformation Manager at Koppert.
The digital assistant lets you tap into the knowledge you need to make better decisions, explains Van der Kruijk.
“To start a conversation, simply explain what you are looking for – like a solution for a specific pest or instructions on how to use our products – and get an answer almost instantly. The more specific your prompt, the more relevant the response. For example, weather conditions can matter when using our products. If you specify that it is cold and overcast, it will take this information into consideration. The digital assistant is trained on vast amounts of data, from product data to biological and ecological data, which makes it an excellent tool for both the new Koppert customer and the experienced biological grower. Our consultants benefit too, as no person could possibly retain all the knowledge that we have collected over the years.”
The digital assistant uses a natural language processing model to interpret the question and a generative AI model to deliver the answer in a ChatGPT-like fashion.
“Like ChatGPT, it can handle complex conversations and generate easy-to-understand responses,” says Van der Kruijk. “Growers can also choose to share their own data for an even more personalised experience. This combination can provide a strong foundation for a data-driven integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.”
In an effort to test and trial the digital assistant in the real world, Koppert’s digital team is partnering with growers.
“We are bringing our demo to trade shows throughout 2024 to solicit feedback from the public, and we are conducting validation testing with our consultants and with a select group of customers,” Van der Krujik says. “The goal is to learn from their experience, so that we can continue to improve our digital solutions.”
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