Seventeen percent of farmers worldwide are now using generative AI for agricultural tasks, marking it as one of the fastest-growing technologies in the sector, according to the McKinsey Global Farmer Insights 2026 report.
In contrast, other technologies like robotics, electric agricultural machinery, and sustainability software are not yet widely adopted.
AI adoption is advancing most rapidly in North and South America, where it is used for everyday decision-making.
The surge in interest comes amid a prolonged downturn in the industry.
Costs for labor, land, machinery, and fertilizers have remained high and volatile since the last profitability peak in 2021–2022, notes McKinsey senior partner David Fiocco.
In response, farmers are actively cutting budgets for traditional chemical fertilizers. More than half of niche crop producers are switching to biological alternatives for plant protection and growth stimulation.
John Deere’s AI Agronomist
On September 1, 2026, at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, agricultural tech giant John Deere introduced JD, a generative AI chatbot integrated directly into the Operations Center platform.
The assistant answers farmers’ questions in real-time using specific farm data, including field, machine, and operational information.
The system allows users to compare fuel consumption over several years, analyze the impact of equipment settings on yield, track sprayer operator performance, and determine optimal harvest times.
Limited early access is available to select U.S. customers starting September 1. The AI assistant will be offered to all other users by the end of 2026, with integration into onboard displays planned for a later date.
In the future, John Deere also plans to adapt the AI for lawn equipment, construction, roadwork, and forestry. The company has not disclosed which language model underpins the system.
Earlier, it was reported that demand for freelancers to refine AI-generated texts, images, and videos continued to grow.
