Drones are becoming increasingly popular and consumerized. Drone popularity and drone visual capabilities change the way police force operate and how private individuals, communities, and corporations think about security. Police forces are not only using drones (and robots) for search and rescue operations, but drones are becoming first responders (DFR – Drones as First Responders). Autonomous drones are also becoming more widespread to patrol communities, neighborhoods, or corporate campuses. I am interested in how religious communities respond to law enforcement use of drones and whether they develop innovative ways to use drones themselves.

I have given a guest lecture on this topic at Knox College, Galesburg, IL, USA, on 2 April 2026, as part of the guest lecture series on AI and religion organized by the Knight Distinguished Chair for the Study of Religion and Culture and Professor of Religious Studies, Prof. Robert M. Geraci.