Published Date : 09/06/2025
The future of how we eat depends on the future of farming. With farmlands decreasing and farmers aging, sustainably maximizing efficiency is crucial. At The Ohio State University's 2,000-acre research farm, students use Intel technology to develop a game-changing solution: artificial intelligence for ultra-precise farming. Forget blanket spraying – they use AI to target individual crops with the exact amount of what each need: herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, and water.
This innovation relies on powerful Intel technology at every step. Data from sensors and drones is swiftly transferred via a private 5G network to a high-performance Intel® Xeon®-powered server. The heavy-lifting happens on an Intel-powered supercomputer, which analyzes the data and sends immediate, targeted instructions to the students' AI PCs with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors.
The future vision? More sustainable and efficient farming practices directed by AI that can operate autonomously, without the need for a supercomputer's immense processing power. Already, it’s shaping the future of the food supply. Each September, thousands of farmers visit the university’s agriculture hub to witness and learn how to implement these Intel-driven techniques on their own farms.
The project is derived from a research grant from Intel with the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. The content does not constitute an endorsement of any products or services of Intel. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, this initiative aims to address the critical challenges of modern agriculture and ensure a sustainable food supply for future generations.
Q: What is ultra-precise farming?
A: Ultra-precise farming involves using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to target individual crops with the exact amount of resources they need, such as herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and water. This approach significantly reduces waste and improves sustainability.
Q: How does Intel technology contribute to precision farming?
A: Intel technology, including Intel® Xeon®-powered servers and Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, processes and analyzes data from sensors and drones. This data is used to send targeted instructions to farming equipment, enabling precise application of resources.
Q: What role does the 5G network play in this project?
A: The 5G network ensures that data from sensors and drones is swiftly transferred to the high-performance Intel® Xeon®-powered server. This rapid data transfer is crucial for real-time analysis and immediate action in precision farming.
Q: How does this project benefit farmers?
A: Farmers benefit from reduced costs and improved crop yields due to the precise application of resources. Additionally, the project fosters a healthier planet by reducing the use of herbicides and pesticides and improving water quality.
Q: What is the long-term vision for this project?
A: The long-term vision is to develop AI-driven farming practices that can operate autonomously without the need for a supercomputer's immense processing power. This will make sustainable and efficient farming more accessible to a broader range of farmers.