Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Smart Agriculture: Plant Health, Drone Technology, and Digital Communication

This study aims to examine the application areas of artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies in the agricultural sector, particularly focusing on plant protection, drone usage, and digital communication dimensions. In recent years, rapid technological advancements have led to the replacement of traditional farming methods with smart agriculture practices. AI-supported agricultural technologies offer high accuracy in detecting plant diseases and harmful weeds, thereby enabling more efficient and environmentally friendly fertilization and pesticide application processes. Next-generation tools such as robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) reduce the need for human labor in agricultural spraying processes, minimizing both labor costs and health risks to humans. Moreover, these technologies significantly decrease chemical usage and environmental pollution, contributing to sustainable agriculture. In this study, nine academic publications published between 2020 and 2024 were examined through a literature review method. The sample included academic articles, theses, scientific reports, and reliable digital sources, selected based on themes such as disease detection in plants, drone-based pesticide applications, and farmers’ access to information through digital communication tools. The review revealed that AI-supported agricultural tools achieve over 85% accuracy in detecting plant diseases and enable a 20–30% reduction in chemical use during pesticide application, thereby reducing environmental damage. Furthermore, it was found that new media tools play a significant role in disseminating agricultural innovations and raising awareness among farmers. The findings indicate that AI-based smart agriculture practices make substantial contributions to the agricultural sector in terms of sustainable production, efficiency, and environmentally friendly approaches.