Image by wirestock, from Freepik

SwagBot: The AI-Powered Robot Herding Cattle

• Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
• Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

SwagBot, a bright red autonomous robot, is being hailed as the world’s first “smart cow” by researchers at the University of Sydney . Designed to make farming more efficient and environmentally friendly.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• It uses AI and sensors to assess pasture health and monitor livestock.
• SwagBot autonomously herds cattle to optimal grazing areas to prevent overgrazing.
• The robot helps farmers make real-time, detailed decisions about pasture management.

As the global population grows and food security becomes more urgent, adopting smarter farming methods is essential. Traditionally, research has focused on large-scale commercial agriculture, developing costly technologies and ever-bigger machinery, says The University of Sidney in the press release.

Professor Salah Sukkarieh , however, is tackling the issue from a different perspective. He is developing smaller, more affordable robots designed for smallholder farmers, helping them work more efficiently, sustainably, and productively.

Professor Sukkarieh and his team at ACR, within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, have created robots that could revolutionize farming practices.

In traditional farming, decisions are made based on entire paddocks. For example, if pests affect a few crops, farmers often spray the entire field to prevent further spread. Robotic technology, however, allows for pinpointing problem areas, enabling targeted treatment, says The University of Sidney.

This approach reduces costs, minimizes environmental impact, and boosts crop yields.

Among the innovations is SwagBot, the world’s first robot designed for grazing livestock, and RIPPA, a durable robot capable of navigating fields and orchards, monitoring and enhancing vegetable and fruit production for improved yields.

Originally launched in 2016 as a basic herding robot, SwagBot has since undergone significant upgrades, now incorporating advanced sensors, AI, and machine learning systems, as reported by Reuters .

Additionally, the battery-powered robot can assess the health, type, and density of pasture while monitoring livestock health. Using this data, SwagBot autonomously herds cattle to the most suitable pastures, moving them before overgrazing occurs and soil quality declines, notes Reuters.

Professor Sukkarieh explains to Reuters, “Once the cattle are used to the robot, they will follow the robot around.” This technology eliminates the need for traditional fencing, allowing animals to be moved seamlessly to areas with optimal nutritional value.

Retuers notes that Australia, one of the world’s largest beef exporters, faces unique challenges with its vast, often dry landscapes. With around 30 million cattle and limited control over grazing patterns, farmers are at risk of overgrazing, which degrades soil health.

SwagBot addresses this issue by providing real-time, detailed pasture assessments, offering a more efficient and sustainable approach to managing large herds. Erin O’Neill, a part-time farmer who witnessed a recent SwagBot demonstration near Sydney, emphasizes its benefits.

“That allows us to know what bits of pasture are most nutritious, particularly if you’ve got cattle like we do that are pregnant and therefore need a higher quality pasture to aid them through that pregnancy.” she says to Reuters.

While still in development, SwagBot represents a growing trend in agricultural robotics, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on human labor, particularly in remote areas like Australia.

Image by Freepik

AI-Powered Chatters Take Over OnlyFans Conversations

• Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
• Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

OnlyFans, known for its intimate creator-fan interactions, is undergoing a technological transformation. A growing number of creators are turning to “chatters”—individuals or AI systems—to handle the flood of messages from fans, simulating direct engagement

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• Startups like FlirtFlow and Supercreator offer tools to automate and optimize fan interactions.
• AI chatbots can prioritize high-spending fans and automate re-engagement messages.
• Fans may not realize their conversations are with AI or outsourced workers.

The practice, explored in a recent WIRED investigation, sheds light on a booming industry that blends human gig work with AI.

Traditionally, OnlyFans chatters were gig workers from countries like the Philippines, Pakistan, and India, where lower wages made outsourcing appealing. Their job: impersonate creators and maintain engaging conversations with fans, noted WIRED.

However, the introduction of AI chatbots is rapidly changing the game.

Startups such as ChatPersona, FlirtFlow, and Supercreator now offer AI-powered solutions, enabling creators to manage thousands of conversations efficiently. Kunal Anand, founder of ChatPersona, revealed that his company has amassed 6,000 customers since launching last year, says WIRED.

Supercreator, a prominent competitor, goes beyond simple chat responses. Its tools include Inbox Copilot, which prioritizes high-spending fans while sidelining less lucrative ones, and automated re-engagement messages for inactive users, reports WIRED.

Eden, a former OnlyFans creator and owner of Heiss Talent agency, highlighted the effectiveness of such tools, citing a $1,000 tip sparked by an AI-generated message.

“It’s an insane increase in sales,” she noted to WIRED, emphasizing the efficiency of AI in identifying and targeting big spenders.

Despite the rise of fully automated options, some creators prefer a hybrid approach. Eden explained that her clients use AI to draft messages but personalize interactions to maintain authenticity. “We like to keep things as authentic as possible,” she said to WIRED.

The rapid adoption of AI chatbots raises ethical questions about transparency and authenticity on platforms like OnlyFans. Fans might not realize they’re speaking to AI or outsourced chatters rather than their favorite creators.

Additionally, what happens if AI chatbots, designed to simulate intimacy, prove to be addictive for fans? The immersive nature of AI interactions might encourage compulsive behavior , further blurring ethical boundaries.

Should creators and platforms bear responsibility for potentially addictive technology, especially when profits incentivize prolonged engagement?

As the industry evolves, OnlyFans has remained silent, declining to comment on these developments, reporte WIRED.

For now, the fusion of AI and human gig work appears to be reshaping the way creators engage with fans—boosting profits but blurring the lines between authenticity and automation, and giving a new meaning to AI girlfriends.