The drone age for all: The real challenge is only beginning - opinion

Alon Unger argues that while drone technology is now widely accessible, the real challenge is building reliable, safe, and legally compliant operational systems. He warns against market-driven compromises, emphasizes the need for human judgment over AI, and calls for professional standards and sustained national investment in unmanned systems.

Alon Unger, chairman and founder of the UVID International Unmanned Systems Conference, argues that while drone technology has become widely accessible, the true challenge lies in building reliable, safe, and legally compliant operational systems. He warns that market pressure to deliver quickly can lead to compromises in development and testing, increasing safety risks, especially as AI and autonomy advance. Unger emphasizes that not everything AI can do should be entrusted to it, and that human judgment, professional standards, and clear accountability remain essential. He notes that the IDF's establishment of a dedicated unmanned systems branch is a positive step, but calls for a shared professional training framework led by the Israeli Air Force. The piece concludes that the winners in the global drone race will be those who build a complete ecosystem of knowledge and operational experience, not just the fastest prototypes.