HARARE, Apr. 24 (NewsDay Live) — Drone technology, aviation safety and ethical artificial intelligence were the focus of a masterclass hosted by Zimbabwe Flying Labs on Friday, led by U.S. drone expert and Airversity founder Bronwyn Morgan.
Morgan said regulatory compliance and new safeguards are central to protecting operators and the public.
A key topic was Remote ID, a digital identification system she described as a “license plate” for drones, transmitting ownership and flight data in real time.
“If you’re flying and have the software, you can see who owns the drone and whether they are authorised,” she said, adding that the system helps distinguish compliant users from rogue operators.
She said flight software in the United States, integrated with aviation authorities, can prevent drones from taking off without proper identification or entering restricted airspace.
“It will not allow you to take off, or you have to adjust your flight profile,” she said, noting the protection of sensitive sites such as military facilities.
Morgan cited an early piloting incident in Atlanta, where a drone lost connection and flew off autonomously. The return-to-home function activated and prevented potential harm.
The session also covered cybersecurity risks. Morgan said increased autonomy raises exposure to hacking and electronic interference.
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“As we add autonomy, the risk of hacking becomes real. The more sophisticated the equipment, the more sophisticated the hackers,” she said.
Looking ahead, she cited the use of drones in emergency response, including delivering medical equipment such as defibrillators, but cautioned against adopting technology without clear use cases.
“I don’t believe in technology for its own sake. In some cases, fixed cameras may be more effective,” she said.
She also noted challenges in drone manufacturing, including chip shortages and the need for lightweight, durable materials, adding that the sector is moving toward advanced micro-manufacturing and specialised maintenance.
Zimbabwe Flying Labs founder Tawanda Chihambakwe thanked participants and the U.S. Embassy for supporting the event.
Morgan described attendees as “exceptionally capable.”
