All-In Podcast56 min
Freedom vs. Safety: Axon CEO Rick Smith on the Future of Policing
Interview
- The company plans to transition Taser devices to the consumer market within the next five years once their effectiveness relative to firearms against police is proven.
- Commercial sale of humanoid robots is expected within the next 12 to 18 months, with price points ranging from ten to 30,000 and five companies predicted to launch.
- Millions of drones are forecasted for deployment in the US within the next few years, with most agencies expected to deploy them only upon specific calls rather than for general patrol.
- Federal regulation regarding surveillance technology is anticipated to see movement after the upcoming election, with laws expected to evolve to ensure citizen control and balance of power.
- Society is predicted to approach a "near utopian" state over the next 10 to 20 years, with technology expected to cure many diseases and potentially achieve universal high income.
- Decriminalization of behaviors like shoplifting and movements to defund police are warned as risks leading to catastrophic social consequences, abandoned downtowns, and potential social upheaval similar to that observed in France.
- The company intends to develop less abusable technologies through multi-key processes requiring real-time administrative approval and mandatory human oversight for all decisions regarding the use of force.
- Future police operations in dangerous situations are expected to utilize drones or robots to enter premises before human officers, reducing reliance on lethal weapons and mitigating risks.
- An exclusive channel for Skydio drones is expected to be established through Axon, while the company continues R&D on Taser-capable drone technology despite past ethical controversies.
- Job market uncertainty remains high regarding AI, with massive ambiguity over whether it will destroy or create millions of jobs, though the company plans to address this through team-based operation of robotic systems rather than single operators.
- In 2026, bullets are expected to remain a common technology, contrasting with their status as a relative novelty in 1993, though future robotic mistakes may be rectified using non-lethal weapons.
- The company aims to build safeguards into products by listening to critical voices early in the design process and expects independent civilian oversight and recording of all robotic system usage.
- Axon retains the ability to select specific problems to solve, differentiating its product outcomes from purely profit-motivated competitors.
- Public consensus is expected to find a reasonable middle ground regarding surveillance technology and guardrails over time.