Farmed animals are sentient beings with rich emotional lives and complex behaviours — but how well do we truly understand them? This session explores how science, lived experience, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are deepening our understanding of animal sentience. We’ll explore how farmers’ insights, empathy, innovation, and behavioural science can inform better welfare, enrich farming practices, and shape policy. We’ll also consider the ethical risks posed by AI — from misreading animal signals to automation — and ask what responsible use of these technologies looks like. What does recognition of animal sentience mean for policy and food systems?