Salt stress (SS) is a major environmental challenge that disrupts plant growth by affecting water balance, ion homeostasis, and cellular functions. To cope with SS, plants use sensory mechanisms and molecular pathways like the SOS (Salt Overly Sensitive) pathway, which regulates sodium ion homeostasis through Na + exclusion and sequestration. Recent breakthroughs have identified several novel components within the SOS pathway, including GSO1 receptor-like kinase, which activates the SOS2-SOS1 module for Na + detoxification, the FREE1 protein, which regulates vacuolar dynamics and sodium sequestration, and phosphatidic acid (PA), which enhances SOS2 activity to maintain Na +/K + homeostasis. The SbiSOS1 protein helps pump Na + into vacuoles, while SbiSALTY stabilizes cellular machinery under SS. In addition to the SOS pathway, the GABA shunt pathway plays a critical role in osmotic regulation under SS. Phytohormones, including abscisic acid (ABA), brassinosteroids (BRs), ethylene (ETH), and jasmonic acid (JA), orchestrate the plant’s stress response through coordinated signaling. Integrating hyperspectral sensing, genomics, precision irrigation, and digital twin modeling into a unified AI framework enables a shift from reactive to proactive SS management. This integrated approach empowers growers to sustain high yields on marginal lands, curb salinization spread, and conserve both freshwater and soil health. These adaptive mechanisms, including ion transporter regulation, phytohormone signaling, and emerging AI models, play a crucial role in plant resilience against SS. Future research in epigenome editing, microbial priming, spatial transcriptomics, and epitranscriptomic remodeling will drive the development of salt-tolerant crops, improving productivity in saline environments and enhancing resilience in the face of climate change.