Verizon Frontline survey finds AI use among first responders nearly tripled
Key Highlights
- ➤Daily AI use by public safety personnel nearly triples to nearly 32%
- ➤56% of agencies expect daily AI use within three years
- ➤Daily drone and robot use rises to 26% from 15%
- ➤77%+ of respondents cite resilience and reliability as primary requirement
- ➤Verizon (VZ) survey identifies advanced technology as essential to public safety operations
Expert Statements
Kim Mirabella, Vice President, Verizon Public Sector and Verizon Frontline
“The 2026 findings reveal that the future of public safety isn't something on the horizon, it's already here. Technologies that felt like science fiction just a few years ago, from AI to robotics, are now essential tools our nation's first responders rely on every day”
Kim Mirabella, Vice President, Verizon Public Sector and Verizon Frontline
“At Verizon Frontline, we remain committed to delivering the mission-critical connectivity and solutions that meet the unique and evolving needs of the public safety community both now and in the future.”
Rob Lloyd, Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government and Center for Public Sector AI
“Our research and benchmarking with our state and local government partners shows that, for public safety, technology decisions have to start with the mission”
Rob Lloyd, Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government and Center for Public Sector AI
“Handling community safety and emergency events effectively is no accident. That is why, when evaluating advanced technology, agencies are looking at whether a tool can provide better information, improve situational awareness, and help teams respond faster, all while keeping first responders safer.”
What you need to know: * Critical communications today: The annual Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey highlights the latest technology trends and adoption rates across public safety agencies. * Surging AI usage numbers: Daily artificial intelligence usage among public safety agencies has nearly tripled over the past year, while drone and robot deployment has also increased. * Reliability remains crucial: As advanced tools become routine, network resilience and reliability remain vital. BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Oct. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new Verizon Frontline survey released today shows that public safety agencies are increasingly adopting advanced technology as a fundamental part of daily operations.
The sixth annual Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, conducted by Lexipol Media Group, reveals a rapid, year-over-year acceleration in the daily use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones and robots. The 2026 data confirms that the future of public safety has arrived, with agencies increasingly leveraging data-driven tools to augment human intuition and help improve response outcomes.
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