Rainforest Alliance Bets on Human-Centred AI as Sustainability Enters a New Era

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For nearly four decades, the Rainforest Alliance says it has built its reputation on a simple promise: that independent verification can give consumers confidence that commodities such as cocoa and coffee are produced with respect for people and nature.

In a recently published position statement on AI, the organisation argues that as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms industries worldwide, the same principles that underpin its certification system must guide its use.

The move comes at an inflection point for agricultural supply chains. AI technologies are becoming increasingly important in traceability, satellite monitoring and regulatory compliance. Yet concerns about data ownership, accountability and the concentration of power have raised questions about who benefits from these tools – and who bears the risks.

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The new approach from Rainforest Alliance argues that AI represents both an unprecedented opportunity and a significant threat.

“Credibility is our currency,” the organisation said. “Used well, we believe AI can lower the cost of verification, surface patterns invisible at human scale, and bring better evidence to more farmers and more supply chains. But we recognize that AI also introduces a new crisis of trust.”

The Rainforest Alliance is calling for collective action involving governments, businesses, civil society and farming communities to shape AI governance. Image: Rainforest Alliance

AI Already Plays a Role

Artificial intelligence is not a future prospect for the organisation – it is already embedded in its work.

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