Ukraine maintains a leading position in the implementation of artificial intelligence in strategically important industries, including the use of drones and robotics. Demonstrating unique experience and innovative solutions, Ukrainian developments have an impact on the global market. Despite the challenges faced by the country, Ukrainian engineers and companies have managed not only to adapt to new realities but also to become a source of innovation in the field of unmanned technologies.
On November 7, DroneUA participated in one of the largest and most important summits dedicated to discussing new artificial intelligence technologies and their impact on various sectors — the Astro AI Summit in New York, USA. Hosted by Eric Schmidt, a well-known investor in Ukrainian security startups, the event brought together representatives, founders, and CEOs of leading AI companies in the U.S.
An important part of the event was a panel discussion providing an overview of AI technologies in the development of drones in Ukraine. Valeriі Іakovenko, co-founder and managing partner of DroneUA and Futurology, joined the discussion, sharing his experience and unique insights into the implementation of AI in unmanned solutions and their integration into the Ukrainian security sector. Other panelists included Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, and Quinn Martinelli, a philanthropist supporting Ukraine's recovery. The panel discussion was moderated by Arnav Kapur, founder of Astro and organizer of the Astro AI Summit.
"Ukraine demonstrates leadership in the development and application of unmanned technologies, so our main message is to form partnerships between Ukrainian and American companies today. The main focus of American businesses' attention and investments should be on the rapidly developing Ukrainian market, including in security applications," said Valeriі Іakovenko.
"In particular, the use of drones allows us to save resources and at the same time create a safer environment for human life. The use of unmanned technologies in combination with AI makes it possible to work more efficiently, counteract electronic warfare (EW) technologies, and use drones where there is no navigation," he added.
The co-founder and managing partner of DroneUA also noted that the U.S. market alone is estimated at $2.5 trillion over the next five years: "...this is the cost of drones that can be supplied for security purposes, if we draw an analogy with the volumes that Ukraine needs. So $2.5 trillion is a huge market that will be formed over the next five years."
Ukraine's approach to the development and integration of AI into the field of unmanned technologies not only creates a competitive advantage for Ukrainian companies in the international market but also contributes to the development of the technological ecosystem, attracting investment, partnerships, and creating new opportunities for future innovations. That is why global markets, particularly the U.S., are directly interested in cooperation with Ukraine. "Our solutions are world-leading, thanks to engineers and businesses with the highest level of experience on the planet. Ukraine is the largest producer of drones on the planet, each of which already uses AI technology. In the future, Ukraine will only buy such equipment," Іakovenko concluded.
DroneUA, representing the Ukrainian tech sector, would like to thank the event organizers, as well as Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, and Quinn Martinelli, who is helping Ukrainians to rebuild their country.
