Air traffic control isn’t the place for AI, aviation CEO says: We should ‘never really give the full reins to a computer’

One idea that has been floated over the past year is to introduce more artificial intelligence into the process, allowing controllers to rely on the technology, and perhaps replace them with it in time. This proposal has caused opposition from some in the industry.

Patrick Arnzen, CEO of flight training organization Thrust Flight, is skeptical that AI can replace the work of an air traffic controller. He told IT Brew that the complexity of air traffic control is so great that AI simply cannot respond quickly enough to handle it.

“It takes years to develop that instinct to really understand how to do this mission, not just efficiently, but effectively,” Arnzen said, adding that there are “a lot of key components to keeping everyone safe up there in the sky.”

Rough. The year began with an air disaster. In January, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 people.

In the wake of the accident, and other events related to air traffic control, some have called for the incorporation of powerful technologies behind the AI ​​automation revolution. Startups like NoamAI have introduced AI-powered support systems aimed at helping horoscopes.

Use. Arnzen said he’s not against AI, of course, but is just concerned about how it will be used in the future when it comes to a high-risk industry like air travel. Most air traffic control towers already use artificial intelligence to assist employees, but factors such as old machinery, outdated technology and an industry resistant to change present challenges.

“In the world of aviation, everything we do is subject to strict regulations,” Arnzen said. “It’s one thing to bring the idea of ​​artificial intelligence into the field, but then, when you take all this new technology, even though it’s possible, you can’t deploy all this technology because there’s no regulation.”

The future is incomplete. While the current government shutdown and additional pressure on America’s infrastructure may have people looking for alternative ways to automate air travel, that is not the view of the air traffic control industry as a whole. Although AI is useful for many jobs, it is not a perfect solution. The real answer, Arnzen said, lies in finding a balance between the use of technology and human expertise.

“This technology is coming, and it’s something we want to embrace,” Arnzen said. “But I also think it’s something we want to handle carefully and thoughtfully and not give control entirely to the computer.” “The world is changing, and AI is driving that in a very meaningful way — but in terms of giving up control to AI to manage the safety of our world, we have to be very careful with that.”

This report was originally published by IT drink.