Ex-Google Futurist Warns China, Russia Developing Insect-Sized Spy, Attack Drones

Recent reports reveal Russia's use of advanced kamikaze drones, known as Shaheds, which are controlled via Telegram bots and employ artificial intelligence to evade Ukrainian defenses, flying low before ascending to altitudes beyond the reach of small arms. Despite Ukraine shooting down about 95% of these drones, the remaining ones inflict significant damage, prompting reliance on helicopters, F-16s, and interceptor drones. Meanwhile, ex-Google futurist Tracey Follows warns of emerging insect-sized camouflage drones developed by Russia and China that could autonomously carry out untraceable assassinations or espionage, potentially delivering deadly pathogens and making attribution nearly impossible. This raises concerns about covert attacks on Western soil, echoing past incidents such as the Skripal poisoning. In parallel, China's drone industry is advancing AI-driven autonomous drones capable of complex tasks like infrastructure inspection and disaster response, demonstrating rapid progress in cognitive capabilities and real-time decision-making. These developments collectively highlight a transformative and increasingly perilous landscape in drone technology and warfare.