Verizon Frontline study: AI, cybersecurity, drones & robots are critical areas for first responders

Core Insights - Nearly half of first responders anticipate daily use of AI and drones or robots within the next five years, indicating a significant shift in operational capabilities [1][6][10] - The survey highlights a dramatic year-over-year increase in interest in AI, with 13% more respondents considering it a top priority for their agencies [5][7][10] - Cybersecurity remains a critical concern, with 67% of public safety agencies implementing new protections in the past year [8][11] Group 1: Technology Adoption - 48% of first responders expect to integrate drones or robots into daily operations within five years, a notable increase from current usage [6][10] - 46% of respondents anticipate daily use of AI solutions in the same timeframe, up from just 12% currently [7][10] - The FAA's decision to relax visual line-of-sight requirements is expected to accelerate drone adoption among public safety agencies [5] Group 2: Network Reliability - Access to a reliable and resilient network is identified as the most critical feature for both day-to-day and emergency response communications, with 75% and 73% of respondents respectively emphasizing its importance [9][11] - The consistent emphasis on network reliability underscores its foundational role in effective public safety operations [3][9] Group 3: Cybersecurity Concerns - 67% of public safety agencies reported implementing new cybersecurity measures within the last year, reflecting a proactive approach to safeguarding critical infrastructure [8][11] - The increasing frequency of ransomware attacks and third-party breaches has heightened the focus on cybersecurity within public safety agencies [8]