Replacing Airline Pilots With AI

Traditional cockpits are becoming transformational.

Friday, August 23, 2024 at 09:30 AM ET

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Based on the current status of AI technology, it would seem that a pilotless aircraft is not even in the distant future. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. military is publicly embracing artificial intelligence for airborne warfare, as demonstrated by an AI-piloted F-16 dogfight.
While current generative AI could assist airline pilots by processing complex data for decision support, pilots themselves tend to be skeptical of new technologies and its integration faces challenges like "hallucinations."
The author argues that AI cannot replicate the critical human ingenuity and instantaneous decision-making required in severe emergencies, making pilotless commercial aircraft or reduced crew sizes unfeasible with current technology.

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On May 2 at Edwards Air Force Base in California, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall climbed aboard an F-16 test bed dubbed VISTA (Variable In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft) that was retrofitted with an artificial intelligence platform. Secretary Kendall and a back-seat test pilot went along for the ride without touching the controls while another human-controlled F-16 engaged VISTA in a mock dogfight.

Reading between the lines of media reports, it would appear that the demonstration was a draw between the two fighters. I applaud Kendall for placing himself in harm’s way, but the grandstanding performance served a purpose. It was very much a public endorsement of AI for airborne warfare.

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.