Rudy Lai

AI @ Deere & Co.

Agricultural and construction equipment
Industry
Last updated
July 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Summary

  • John Deere has demonstrated consistent and increasing adoption of AI technologies from 2018 through mid-2025, evolving from early machine learning applications like the 'see and spray' weed detection system to fully autonomous tractors and integrated farm ecosystems.
  • Notable leaders such as Justin Rose have spearheaded Deere's AI innovation, with substantial investments including a $300 million infusion into AI and machine learning capabilities by 2024, coupled with partnerships involving key tech companies such as NVIDIA to enhance edge computing and AI performance.
  • The company's AI initiatives strongly focus on addressing critical agricultural challenges such as labor shortages, herbicide reduction, precision farming, and yield improvement, driving revenue growth and operational efficiency with a path toward fully autonomous farming envisioned by 2030.

VIBE METER

More AI announcements = more VIBE
Q1 23Q2 23Q3 23Q4 23Q1 24Q2 24Q3 24Q4 24Q1 25Q2 25Q3 25Q4 25🔥🔥🔥🔥

5 AI Use Cases at Deere & Co.

Weed Detection
2025
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
John Deere utilizes machine learning and computer vision to identify and selectively treat weeds in crop fields, minimizing herbicide use and enhancing precision agriculture. [1][2][3]
Labor Optimization
2025
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
AI and robotics solutions help farmers manage labor shortages by automating complex farming tasks and enabling more efficient workforce allocation. [1][2][3]
Data Access
2024
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Use of generative AI technologies to improve database querying and operational decision-making for farm management systems. [1]
Autonomous Farming
2023
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
Deployment of AI-driven autonomous tractors and farm machinery that operate with minimal human intervention to increase efficiency and address labor shortages. [1][2][3]
Precision Adjustment
2021
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
AI analyzes real-time data on crop quality, such as grain damage, adjusting operational parameters of machinery to optimize yield and reduce waste. [1]

Timeline

2025 Q4: no updates

2025 Q3

1 updates

John Deere's AI strategy emphasizes dominance through smart machinery, proprietary data, and an integrated farm ecosystem maintaining strong leadership.

2025 Q2

4 updates

Scaling AI innovation to address farm labor shortages, help farmers manage operations, and increase adoption of see & spray systems among growers.

2025 Q1: no updates

2024 Q4

1 updates

Deployment of generative AI technologies to improve database access and operational efficiencies in farm management.

2024 Q3

2 updates

Investment of $300M in AI and machine learning through acquisition of Blue River, enhancing computer vision to reduce herbicide use; partnership with NVIDIA to expand edge computing capabilities.

2024 Q2: no updates

2024 Q1

2 updates

AI-driven approaches to weed control without excess herbicide; robotic and AI solutions to address labor shortages and modernize farming.

2023 Q4

1 updates

Strategic investments in AI focusing on fully autonomous farms by 2030 with computer vision and machine learning aiding critical farming challenges.

2023 Q3

2 updates

AI-powered seeding machine detects and destroys weeds with laser technology; ongoing integration of AI and automation.

2023 Q2

3 updates

Use of AI algorithms and machine learning to provide farmers with actionable insights; embedding AI into farm machines to solve farming problems.

2023 Q1: no updates

2022 Q4: no updates

2022 Q3: no updates

2022 Q2

3 updates

Launch of fully autonomous tractors at CES 2022; Deere becomes a major AI company combining automation and autonomy.

2022 Q1: no updates

2021 Q4: no updates

2021 Q3

1 updates

Use of machine learning to analyze grain quality and automatically adjust machine parameters to reduce crop damage.

2021 Q2

1 updates

Investment of hundreds of millions in AI and cultural shift to embed AI deeply into corporate strategy.

2021 Q1: no updates

2020 Q4: no updates

2020 Q3: no updates

2020 Q2

1 updates

Recognition of Deere's advancement in AI, ML, and computer vision applications in agriculture, positioning for profitability.

2020 Q1: no updates

2019 Q4

1 updates

Unveiling of 'Farm Forward' campaign focusing on deploying AI across all machines to develop autonomous farming capabilities.

2019 Q3: no updates

2019 Q2: no updates

2019 Q1: no updates

2018 Q4: no updates

2018 Q3: no updates

2018 Q2: no updates

2018 Q1

1 updates

Introduction of 'see and spray' technology using machine learning for real-time weed identification and treatment.