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Aviation regulators use AI to manage the nation’s airspace : NPR
NPR • • business
Key Points:
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an $875 million AI-driven software system called SMART to improve air traffic management at three major Washington, D.C. area airports, aiming to reduce delays and ease controller workload.
- SMART uses AI to optimize flight schedules by analyzing planned flights, weather, and other factors to reduce congestion, as part of a larger $12.5 billion modernization effort for the national air traffic control system.
- FAA officials emphasize SMART is a tool to assist human controllers, not replace them, addressing concerns about AI risks and highlighting ongoing staffing shortages as a more significant challenge.
- Some experts and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association remain skeptical about SMART's impact, noting the union was not involved in its development and questioning whether it will address systemic issues like controller shortages.
- Airlines for America supports the FAA's modernization efforts, viewing the new AI-enhanced system as a positive step toward improving flight management efficiency.
