US: UAPB examines AI's growing role in agriculture
Artificial intelligence may be best known for chatbots and image generators, but researchers say some of its most practical applications could be taking place far from a computer screen – in fields, greenhouses and other agricultural operations. A recently published article authored by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff researchers, led by Dr. Shahidul Islam, professor, graduate coordinator, and director of UAPB's USDA Regulatory Science Center, examines how artificial intelligence is used to monitor crops, detect diseases and pests, manage irrigation, predict yields, and even guide agricultural robots.
The study, "Artificial intelligence in modern agriculture: recent advances, challenges, and future directions," reviewed 95 peer-reviewed studies published from 2021 through 2025. It found rapid growth in agricultural uses of artificial intelligence, while also identifying significant obstacles that continue to limit widespread adoption.
"Our study found that agricultural AI has increasingly moved beyond individual applications toward systems that combine sensors, computer models, and automated equipment to make decisions in real time," said Dr. Islam.
For farmers, that could mean technology capable of determining when a crop needs water, identifying signs of disease before they become widespread, or using information about soil and weather conditions to help determine how a crop should be managed.
One of the most promising uses identified in the study is precision agriculture, Dr. Islam said. "Instead of treating an entire field uniformly, precision agriculture uses information about specific conditions in different parts of the field to tailor crop management practices."
In addition to improving crop yields and quality, precision agriculture can also contribute to more sustainable farming practices by reducing the amount of water, fertilizer, and pesticides used.