WELL-E: A Living Lab of Responsible Digitalization in the Canadian Dairy Industry

Authors: Helen Hambly and Steven Roche and Rachel Van Vliet and Elsa Vasseur and Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo

Date: 2025-10-01

Status: Published

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21083/caree.v1i1.8921

View External Publication

Evolving theoretical frameworks of responsible and inclusive innovation argue that systems change must properly address real-world stakeholder needs and create positive impacts for society and the environment. These principles lie at the heart and mission of the Research and Innovation Chair in Animal Welfare and Artificial Intelligence (WELL-E), currently running at two locations: a university teaching farm and a vocational training farm of incarcerated persons. Our team works to integrate intentionally both stakeholder and domain expert knowledge with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) methods and technological tools for the improvement of animal (and human) welfare. We have been working directly with farm staff and management to co-develop and pilot new practices for animal housing and management, as well as to test cutting-edge technologies and practices for the deployment of responsible AI tools on farms, embracing F.A.I.R. principles and empowering end users to be at the forefront of these innovations. Our collaborative approach promotes responsible and inclusive innovation through the integration of new technologies into the dairy industry and empowers producers and workers to be at the forefront of positive welfare developments, ensuring their sustainability and reinforcing the importance of stakeholder participation in innovative scientific research.