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. Air Force is actively embracing AI for airborne warfare, but its integration into civilian airliners raises questions about pilot acceptance, potential crew reduction, and passenger trust in autonomous flight.
Modern "generative AI" can analyze extensive data to assist pilots with complex operational decisions, such as flight diversions, potentially enhancing efficiency and reducing cockpit workload.
However, the author argues that current AI lacks the critical human judgment and ingenuity required for novel, life-threatening emergencies, making pilotless aircraft a distant prospect and emphasizing that AI should augment, not replace, pilots.

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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.