A Texas company that makes “tactical gear” surveyed some people about using AI and killer drones when you’re hunting. This says something about our current timeline but I don’t think it’s a good something.
Details from their press release:
The survey of 2,051 U.S. adults found that 68.53% opposed using AI in hunting, while 31.47% supported it. Attitudes shifted sharply among active hunters, with 72.97% supporting the technology. Approval rose to 85.71% among highly active hunters who hunt across multiple seasons or pursue more than one animal species each year.
Support also depended on how the technology would be used. AI-powered heads-up displays that could highlight animal tracks or recently broken foliage received the greatest approval from Americans overall, at 41.83%.
AI-assisted rifle scopes that could identify target animals were supported by 35.86% of Americans, compared with 75.68% of hunters and 92.83% of highly active hunters.
Americans were less receptive to technology that could take a more active role in a hunt:
- 30.28% approved of AI-powered robot dogs used to find or flush animals
- 30.28% approved of rifles that could automatically target and fire after an animal was digitally tagged
- 27.09% approved of armed hunting drones controlled remotely by a hunter
Armed drones attracted the greatest opposition, with 72.91% of Americans and 89.08% of non-hunters rejecting the idea.
The findings suggest consumers may be more comfortable with AI that provides information while leaving decisions and actions to the hunter. Equipment capable of targeting, firing or performing part of the hunt received substantially less public support.
Superior Tactical surveyed 2,051 Americans aged 18 and older. The sample was designed to reflect U.S. Census demographics across age, gender, region and income. The study reports a margin of error of 2.16% at a 95% confidence level.
See the complete research findings at https://superiortac.com/research-american-consumers-thoughts-on-ai-usage-in-hunting-equipment/.
Founded in 2014, Superior Tactical is a family-owned tactical equipment supplier headquartered in Grandview, Texas. The company specializes in night vision equipment, thermal products and tactical accessories for customers across the United States.
