Behavioural Change Assessment for AI Monitoring of animal welfare

The Argus AI system has demonstrated capability in detecting critical animal welfare events including electric goad use, re-stunning, and mishandling through APMC Project 2024-1093. However, the impact of this system on staff behaviour and broader welfare outcomes remains unclear and is an important for processors wishing to adopt this technology. This project will examine the behavioural changes among staff at Greenham Abattoir following the implementation of the Argus AI monitoring system. Using the scientifically validated Welfare Footprint Framework (WFF), the project aims to evaluate reductions in negative animal welfare outcomes and establish a method for validating technological interventions in commercial processing environments. A key goal is to provide Greenham with demonstrable evidence of staff behaviour change resulting from the AI system, and for this information to be available to other processors. This will serve as a core indicator of the system’s value, strengthening the business case for ongoing and expanded investment.