AI-driven agricultural crop loss in Anhui

A 67-year-old farmer in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, China, suffered the loss of his entire sesame crop after following incorrect chemical recommendations provided by an AI chatbot. The farmer, identified by the surname Wu, had been using the technology for approximately one year to assist with agricultural tasks such as managing fertilizers and farming schedules.

Seeking solutions for weed and pest control, Wu consulted the AI, which recommended a mixture of chemicals including flufenacet, sulfonylurea ether (fluorosulfamethyl), and fomesafen. Because sesame is a broadleaf plant, the herbicide flufenacet proved toxic to the young seedlings, causing them to wither and die almost immediately after application. Reports indicate the damage affected nearly 10 hectares (approximately 150 mu) of crops, with losses valued between 150,000 yuan and the total destruction of the harvest.

When questioned, the AI reportedly acknowledged that the suggested chemicals were the cause of the damage. Service representatives stated that the tool aggregates information from public online sources rather than maintaining an independent knowledge base. The incident has prompted warnings from agricultural experts regarding the dangers of “AI hallucinations” and the risks of using general-purpose large language models for specialized tasks without professional verification.