AI-Powered Crop Protection: Transforming Pest Surveillance and Decision-Making Through Digital Agriculture

Abstract

Crop protection is increasingly challenged by changing pest population dynamics, pesticide resistance and the need for more sustainable agricultural production. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital agriculture offer complementary tools for improving pest surveillance, forecasting and decision-making through automated detection, continuous monitoring and more precise interventions. This review synthesises the applications of machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, Internet of Things-enabled sensing, smart traps, remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics, predictive analytics and intelligent decision support systems in pest management. These approaches support pest identification, population monitoring, outbreak prediction, risk assessment and site-specific management, thereby strengthening the information base required for integrated pest management. The review also examines emerging technologies, including generative AI, foundation models, digital twins, explainable AI, edge intelligence and autonomous agricultural platforms, in relation to future crop protection systems. Despite rapid technological progress, practical deployment remains constrained by limited high-quality datasets, variable field conditions, model generalisation, interoperability, digital infrastructure, cost and farmer adoption. Effective implementation therefore requires transparent, robust and scalable systems that are validated under diverse agricultural conditions and aligned with ecological pest management principles. Overall, integrating AI-enabled surveillance and decision support with integrated pest management can support more timely, adaptive and resource-efficient crop protection while reducing unnecessary interventions.