This short article is to explore and arouse curiosity in the use of AI technologies in a "none mainstream" professional (like FinTech, retailing, automobile) and hobbyist activity. This first in the series is about beekeeping and the beekeeper, especially for those working in the field of information communication and telecommunications (IT/ITC), and are hobbyist Beekeper in their spare time (of course, not the like of The Beekeeper in the movie with Jason Statham :)

Hive Monitoring

On the top of their experience and knowledge in this field, beekeeping actors and other stakeholders can exploit both AI-powered smart sensors and sound analysis devices to meet their objectives, in terms of hive monitoring.

AI-powered smart sensors and IoT hive monitoring

From hobbyists, with the right budget, to large scale production professionals, there is the possibility to track hives’ conditions with sensors for weight, temperature and humidity. Also, AI technologies can assist analyzing data to identify irregularities such queen loss, potential disease or swarming.

AI-enabled bee counters

These devices are placed at hive entrances and count the number of bees entering and exiting. This information enables farmers and Beekeepers to measure pollination rates and identify any reductions in bee activity

Buzz monitoring AI-tools

With AI-enabled sound analysis equipment, Beekeepers may detects changes in bee buzzing patterns such as stress or pests like Varroa mites. Or simply, these AI-tools may assist to give a second opinion on what the Beekeepers might have already suspected. ApisProtect and BeeHero are examples of such AI-powered tools.

Automated image recognition hive inspection

Beekeepers could be motivated to get support from AI-powered cameras, which scan frames for brood health, pests or honey levels. These automated image recognition tools can expose honey bee brood diseases such as varroosis in the like of ABPV (Acute Bee Paralysis Virus), AFB (American Foulbrood), IAPV (Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus), European foulbrood (EFB), KBV (Kashmir Bee Virus), Sacbrood, and Chalkbrood (Ascophaera apis). Such examples of IA-powered tools are HiveMind, BeeWise, 3Bee’s Hive-Tech, or BeeScanning.

Swarm prevention

AI-powered beekeeping tools can help foresee swarming behavior, based on hive-level collected data, which allow Beekeepers to take preventive measures when required. For that purpose, machine learning models (ML) analyze weather evolution, seasonality, and hive activity. For clarification, machine learning (ML) is a branch of Artificial Intelligence that focuses on developing models and algorithms that let computers learn from data without being explicitly programmed for every task

Pollination tracking

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers, farming and beekeeping activities, new ways to track the bee pollinators which are vital to beekeeping and farming in general. AI-assisted pollination devices, such as cameras and drones can map pollination patterns, which will help beekeepers optimize hive placements. These actions may take place in coordination with conservation agencies, environmental groups and associations, who are active on pollination monitoring and data collection.

Robotic beekeeping

Beewise, a startup in the Agtech sector, has developed the first fully autonomous beehive, named Beehome. This innovative product is equipped with a beekeeping robot that serves as both a medic and guardian, working in harmony with the natural intelligence of bees.

Beehome relies on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and precision robotics to rescue and protect hives of bees. This modular commercial AI-powered robotic apiary is equipped with 24/7 monitoring and advanced smart technology, designed to enhance pollination efficiency and boost honey production.

Pests, parasites, and diseases control

Through the technology of image recognition, AI can assist Beekeepers identify pests such as Greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi), Varroa mites (Varroa destructor), Bee louse (Braula coeca), hive beetle (Aethina tumida). AI, via predictive models, can recommend treatment plans for identified pests, and parasites.

Sources and further reading:

The Future of Beekeeping / How Technology is Transforming the Hive: https://blythewoodbeecompany.com/blogs/news/the-future-of-beekeeping-how-technology-is-transforming-the-hive
Beekeeping and Technology: https://beeculture.com/beekeeping-and-technology/
Beewise: https://beewise.ag/home
Ecosystem Services of Honey Bees: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343127849_Ecosystem_Services_of_Honey_Bees_Regulating_Provisioning_and_Cultural_Functions
Bees: How to Protect Their Declining Population: https://diygarden.co.uk/wildlife/ultimate-guide-to-bees
Role of honey bees in ecosystem pollination: https://ucnrs.org/role-honey-bees-ecosystem-pollination/
Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferhicks/2021/07/28/here-is-a-fully-autonomous-ai-powered-beehive-that-could-save-bee-colonies/
How are bees and mushrooms connected?: https://maxbiocareinstitute.com/2022/09/07/how-are-bees-and-mushrooms-connected/
GeeksForGeeks: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/machine-learning/machine-learning/
GreyB: https://www.greyb.com/blog/ai-in-pollination-management/
Smartech: https://smartechmolabs.com/iot-in-beekeeping/
Ultralytics: https://www.ultralytics.com/blog/beekeeping-with-computer-vision-smarter-hive-monitoring
The Beekeeper movie (MGM): https://mgm.com/movies/the-beekeeper

19 June 2025
(Source: Book 3 - IT & Business Strategies Alignment, Relating IT Operations and AIOps to Business Strategy)

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