Artificial intelligence (AI) has penetrated numerous fields, leading to massive improvements and a bit of controversy. Drone technology is one of these industries facing numerous advancements, particularly across commercial and military applications.
Read also: How Drones Are Revolutionizing Logistics and Supply Chain Education
AI’s Place in the Evolution of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The ability to control unmanned aerial vehicles has interested the world since flight became a possibility. They present numerous advantages and opportunities for various sectors, from commerce and logistics to tactical warfare.
AI has accelerated the innovation of drones and drone fleet management. From an industry standpoint, its market value is currently at $2.75 billion and is expected to grow 27.4% annually from 2025 to 2030. Increasing rates of businesses intend to adopt this technology, with 84% of leaders planning to invest more in it in the coming year.
Drones already enjoy some autonomy, with their ability to fly long distances and follow accurate paths without needing a human on board. With AI in the picture, drones’ intelligence and decision-making receive a massive boost, enabling them to perform more complex tasks, even in large fleets.
How It Works
Modern drones comprise various tech — cameras, sensors, radar, lidar and infrared — that help users see their surroundings and control the device accordingly. AI makes drones smarter, allowing them to process this information independently, avoid obstacles and understand complex situations.
This advancement makes them even more independent. Drones can create efficient paths with mapping information and safely travel to a set destination with minimal intervention.
These benefits expand to a fleet level. Individual drones can communicate with one another and establish a hive mind. This swarm intelligence establishes strong coordination between each unit, allowing them to accomplish large tasks quickly and efficiently.
Most AI features also come with machine learning capabilities, where drones can learn from their experiences. Through its cameras, sensors and advanced processing capabilities, the software can identify patterns and predict future outcomes. As it learns through experience, drones can improve their practices and preferences over time.
Applications of AI-Powered Drone Fleet Management
AI-powered drone fleets are already operating across multiple industries. Its most notable applications include commercial operations and military use.
AI Drones in Commercial Applications
Drone fleets are becoming more popular in various commercial operations. People might be familiar with Amazon’s proposed drone deliveries, which faced some setbacks before finally seeing promise this year. Thanks to a recent Federal Aviation Administration rule proposal, retailers like Amazon and Walmart may soon be able to fly drones outside the controller’s line of sight, allowing them to travel longer distances and serve more customers.
Aside from improving retail delivery services, the same technology of mapping surroundings and intelligently avoiding obstacles is also helpful in building inspections and disaster responses. Fleets of autonomous AI-powered drones could easily cover large areas without direct supervision. Search and rescue teams could quickly locate survivors who need help or deliver aid to hard-to-reach places.
Real-time data processing can also be beneficial in precision agriculture applications, especially for covering large swaths of land. Drones can easily monitor crop health and soil conditions to identify and address issues before they escalate. This strategy helps minimize potential losses and improve crop yields.
AI Drones in the Military
Drones’ autonomy, precision and adaptability have proven invaluable in war zones, allowing militaries to conduct combat or reconnaissance missions with little human intervention. One of the most notable applications of drones in warfare is their use in the Russia-Ukraine war. These autonomous devices have helped the Ukrainian military gain control over the Black Sea, remotely attack Russian air bases through machine learning algorithms, and work in non-combat roles like logistics and medical evacuation.
AI-powered military drones provide several warfare advantages. They can independently conduct surveillance tasks, map unfamiliar territories and shoot down enemy targets in highly coordinated attacks. These abilities are changing the military landscape.
Challenges and Concerns Around AI Use in Drone Applications
Advancements in AI drone fleet technology have led to innovations across multiple sectors that bring several benefits and have made several fields more efficient and productive. Yet, some would also argue that development for development’s sake is not always good. Multiple parties have brought up practical and ethical concerns around the use of AI, especially in drone technology and warfare.
The current use of AI drones still requires some human oversight. However, technological advancements toward their autonomy could lead to governments preferring cost-effectiveness over more time-consuming workers. Human judgment and logic are often the only things standing between human targets and faulty AI decisions based on sensors and images.
AI could easily dehumanize its targets, which is incredibly dangerous in warfare. It can easily make mistakes and potentially tag civilians as enemy targets. Along with some nongovernment organizations, the United Nations shares these concerns and is calling for the international regulation of lethal autonomous weapons, which include AI-powered military drones.
Outside of the ethical concerns, AI drones can be vulnerable to hacks and signal interference. Drones with highly sensitive functions should have strong cybersecurity defenses so they don’t end up in the wrong hands, especially those used in the military or other confidential applications.
Ensuring Reliable AI Integration
In some ways, AI makes drone fleets more reliable to manage. It improves accuracy, ensures safety and makes drone operations more efficient. However, companies should understand the potential pitfalls of these advancements, such as security vulnerabilities and ethical concerns. Human judgment remains crucial for effective AI use. Machines may be efficient, but people are ultimately responsible for deciding right and wrong.
