AI tools are not always transparent, and managers cannot interpret exactly how these AI tools operate. Erroneous choice of models, tuning parameters, inadequately documented, or inappropriate training data can have important consequences for the performance of the AI models and hence for the individuals and the environment. Those errors could have a detrimental effect on the forest sector’s trust in managers, including public agency representatives. It is, therefore, important that these tools are developed and implemented with awareness of ethical issues and challenges so both society and the forest industry are prepared for this technological development and can harness the power of AI.
We collaborate with the Department for Political Science at Umeå University to address the challenges brought about by the broad implementation of AI in Swedish forest management.