NEW YORK (Dispatches) — A report by Grayzone reveals that Skydio, a U.S.-based drone manufacturer, is now deploying AI-powered drones to monitor the majority of American cities, raising concerns over widespread surveillance.
According to the report, Skydio provided its original drone models to the Israeli military immediately after Israel’s October 7, 2023 assault on Gaza, during which more than 68,800 Palestinians were killed and over 170,000 wounded, many of them women and children. 
Data from Israeli operations was reportedly sent back to Skydio to refine the technology. The company maintains an office in the occupied territories and partners with Israeli military contractor DefenSync, acting as an intermediary between Skydio and Israel’s armed forces.
Since 2023, Skydio has grown into a multi-billion-dollar company and the largest drone manufacturer in the U.S., securing contracts with over 800 law enforcement and security agencies nationwide, up from 320 last year. 
Cities including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, Cleveland, and Jacksonville have signed agreements, with drones deployed hundreds of times daily. 
In Miami, drones reportedly monitor protesters and students, while in Atlanta, Skydio has partnered with the Atlanta Police Foundation to establish a permanent drone station at the Cop City training center. Detroit spent nearly $300,000 on 14 drones, according to city procurement records.
The NYPD launched more than 20,000 drone flights in less than a year — roughly 55 per day. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has acquired 33 X10D Skydio drones since July, capable of automatically tracking and pursuing targets. 
The AI-powered drones, using Nvidia chips, can operate without human control, function in GPS-denied environments, reconstruct buildings in 3D, and reach speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour.
The Grayzone report raises concerns about the dual-use nature of Skydio technology, linking domestic surveillance capabilities to prior deployment in conflict zones, including the occupied Palestinian territories.