Tech-driven evolution of animal housing: an in-depth analysis of the impact of digital technologies, AI, and GenAI in the Era of precision livestock farming

Digital technologies and precision livestock farming (PLF) systems are transforming the livestock sector by enabling the monitoring and optimisation of farms and animal performance. However, the implications of integrating these systems into animal housing remain unclear, and an evaluation of how digitalisation is reshaping livestock facilities is lacking. To address this gap, a hybrid systematic and bibliometric review, combined with an exploratory analysis, was conducted without statistical inference or quantitative synthesis, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This review investigated the relationship between digital technologies and livestock housing across the bovine, pig, and poultry species. A total of 1,242 scientific papers were analysed by technology category, required inputs, provided outcomes, application areas, data transmission, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) for data processing. Findings indicate a growing, consistent research interest across all species, driven primarily by themes related to animal monitoring, welfare, and housing. Topics such as “Engineering and Building”, “Herd Management”, and “Data Analysis and Modelling” emerged as recurrent throughout the analysed period. Animal-related technologies accounted for 21% of bovine papers, 6% of pig papers, and 1% of poultry papers, whereas software- and data-oriented tools were dominant in poultry systems. Data management and processing emerged as crucial components of PLF technologies, with cloud-based storage being predominant across all species (48% in bovine, 69% in pigs, and 63% in poultry). Artificial intelligence was used in approximately 30% of studies, with notable species variability: 29% in bovine, 63% in pigs, and 36% in poultry. GenAI remained limited, representing about 8% of AI-related papers, with applications focused on enhancing animal health and supporting farm management. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how digital technologies intersect with livestock housing, offering valuable insights into current developments and emerging trends in precision livestock farming.