Jahmy Hindman, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Deere & Company since July 2020, is at the helm of advancing Deere’s technology infrastructure.
His role encompasses overseeing the development of Deere’s comprehensive tech stack, which integrates hardware, software, connectivity, data platforms, and applications.
He manages the Intelligent Solutions Group, a global network of tech innovation centers, and the shared engineering functions.
In a recent CNBC interview ahead of the December 6 Work Summit, Hindman discussed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Deere’s innovation. He noted that AI, particularly through computer vision and machine learning, is crucial for modernizing agriculture.
Deere’s AI innovations aim for fully autonomous farming by 2030, enhancing sustainability.Historically, Deere’s mission has been to help farmers increase productivity while facing challenges like variable weather and limited land. AI enhances this by allowing farmers to make more precise decisions and see beyond human limitations.
One key example is Deere’s See & Spray technology, which targets weeds with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the need to spray entire fields.
This technology continuously improves by learning from the images it collects and adapting to new field conditions and plant diseases.
This advancement not only boosts efficiency but also allows for retrofitting older equipment, offering farmers access to cutting-edge technology at a lower cost.
Hindman also highlighted the broader implications of these advancements. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, AI helps farmers double crop production while managing environmental impact.
Technologies like See & Spray reduce herbicide use by 66% and fertilizer by 60%, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability.
Regarding recruitment, Hindman emphasized Deere’s commitment to innovation and attracting top tech talent. He encourages data scientists, software engineers, and other tech professionals to join Deere to work on transformative agricultural technologies that benefit the global population.