First Contact founder Valeriy Borovyk named among the world’s most influential figures in AI

The founder of Ukrainian defence tech company First Contact, Valeriy Borovyk, has made this year’s TIME100 AI list. This is an annual rating compiled by the American magazine, gathering the most influential people in the field of AI.

Borovyk was placed in the Leaders category. His company has been developing drones since 2014, and in 2025 its drones were used during Operation Spiderweb.

At the time, the SSU launched 117 Osa drones developed by First Contact to strike Russian airbases. Borovyk says the company has supplied the military with more than 150 drones, including training and testing ones, TIME writes.

The drones used in this operation were equipped with AI elements to detect and target aircraft’s vulnerable points, and also supported remote control via Russian mobile networks.

The magazine adds that First Contact is now developing ground stations that can function as mini mobile operators at the front line, sea drones, submarines and EW systems. The company also has plans for Ukrainian satellites for communications and reconnaissance.