Research and digitalization: application for rural development

Beschrijving

This e-course aims to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills on how digital tools are used in agricultural research to enhance rural development and how research is conducted on digital tools in rural areas.

As we all have become users and consumers of digital tools, it is of interest to create a platform to share ideas and experiences.

The course aims to improve participant’s:

• Knowledge: key digital tools and concepts in agricultural research, including AI, GIS, and drones.
• Comprehension: the principles and applications of digitalization and its impact on rural development.
• Application: possible applications of digital tools and methodologies for data collection, analysis, and mapping in agricultural contexts.
• Evaluation: Critically assess the adoption, socio-economic impacts, and ethical considerations of digitalization in agriculture.

This course is available from December 1, 2025. You can register at any time.
A closing session in Teams will be organised at the end of April 2026.

More info: https://www.ugain.ugent.be/DigiRural2025.htm

Programma

The course consists of 12 units.

Unit 1. Introduction (1h)

Introduction to the course - Overview of the content

Unit 2. Generative AI – Introduction (2h learning time)

What is Generative AI and how it works - Applications of Generative AI- Text-based and image Generative AI - Detecting fake images – Engage by reading, watching, writing and sharing.

Unit 3. Large Language Models for literature search and writing (2h learning time)

Introduction to large language tools such as ChatGPT, Bing, etc. – Tips and tricks for literature search and writing - Limitations of large language tools- Engage by reading, watching, searching and sharing.

Unit 4. Digital tools for surveys in the field (2h learning time)

Advantages and disadvantages of digital tools for on-site data collection - Comparison of off- and online surveying – Tutorials - Engage by reading, watching, trying and sharing.

Unit 5. Large Language Models for data analysis (2h learning time)

Tutorial on creating prompts to analyse survey data - Engage by reading, watching, calculating and sharing.

Unit 6. Drones for dummies (2h learning time)

Introduction to the basics of using drones for data collection - Applications in rural development – Engage by reading, watching, calculating and sharing.

Unit 7. GIS maps for dummies (2h learning time)

Introduction to spatial data in rural development studies - Mapping, spatial econometrics, and network mapping - Generating local data - Aggregating spatial data with survey data – Engage by reading, watching, trying and sharing.

Unit 8. Studying adoption of digitalization (2h learning time)

Overview of digitalization uptake studies - Examples of adoption of digital tools by rural households/farmers - Benefits and limitations of the different frameworks – Engage by reading, watching, writing and sharing.

Unit 9. Living labs in digitalization (2h learning time)

Explanation of living labs in rural areas - Socio-economic impacts of digital transformation - Findings and experiences from the DESIRA project – Engage by reading, watching, discussing and sharing.

Unit 10. Studying the impact of digitalization (2h learning time)

Qualitative and quantitative methodologies for impact studies - Outcomes of impact studies – Engage by reading, watching, trying and sharing.

Unit 11. Ethics in AI (2h learning time)

AI Ethics and Bias in AI Systems - Fairness and accountability in AI -Privacy concerns - AI and human rights - Autonomous AI and responsibility - Transparency and explainability - Examples of moral machines – Engage by reading, watching, trying and sharing

Unit 12. Closing debate (2h seminar + 1h feedback on assignments)

Sharing questions, experiences, comments, and suggestions. In this closing session we will also give a general feedback on the exercises made during the course.

Each unit (except unit 1 and 12) consists of

• Core lecture of 30 to 60 minutes
• Reading: extra sources
• Watching: extra videos
• Engaging: opinions, quiz, exercises,…
• Sharing with others: discussion forum, whiteboard, surveys,…

The units are organised in four blocks and participants are able to move to a next block upon completion of the previous block.