NASA's drone race: Human pilot beats flying drones controlled by artificial intelligence Drone Racing Is A High-speed Sport Demanding Instinctive Reflexes. Researchers At NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) In The US Put Their Work To The Test Recently. PTI | Updated on: 24 Nov 2017, 09:22:03 AM Washington: An expert human pilot was successfully able to beat flying drones controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) systems in a race organised by NASA. However, the AI-driven drones were more consistent in their performance, scientists said. Drone racing is a high-speed sport demanding instinctive reflexes. Researchers at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the US put their work to the test recently.