Transitioning from multistep Dockerfile builds to a Drone CI pipeline simplifies application deployment, particularly in cloud-native environments. Kamesh Sampath uses a Next.js application to illustrate this process, highlighting that traditional methods of building and deploying applications may hinder optimal cloud-native results. By containerizing applications and utilizing CI tools like Drone, which is known for its simplicity and adaptability to cloud-native architectures, developers can efficiently manage the deployment process. The tutorial guides users through setting up a Drone pipeline, converting Dockerfile commands into Drone steps, and organizing these steps into a coherent deployment process. This approach not only streamlines building and deploying applications but also adheres to best practices in software delivery, such as leveraging a single responsibility principle and using continuous integration for scalability and reliability.