Citizen visions of drone uses and impacts in 2057: far-future insights for policy decision-makers

Aerial drones for civil purposes will expectedly become ubiquitous in society and potentially overfly everyone and everything. This article aims to inform policy decision-makers at governmental and corporate level about how citizens envision drones will impact daily life and society in the future. Such knowledge is critical to ensure the development of sustainable drone solutions. This study includes stories written by 135 citizens in Denmark, from drone novices to experts, describing how they imagine lifeworlds that include drones in 2057. The stories both confirm and extend existing drone use cases. However, we also identify entirely new applications that would require technological combinations and advances, such as drones with motor or cognitive skills that can replace, complement or assist humans by transforming into any desired form, making instant holograms or offering psychological counselling. Thus, the stories provide nuanced perspectives on the potential of implementing drones and showcase the often opposing nature of the envisioned impacts. Overall, our foresight study highlights the relevance of anticipatory governance involving citizens as well as the need for policy decision-makers to deal with paradoxes when setting frameworks for what should (not) be allowed if the use of drones in the future is to benefit all stakeholders.