How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Transforming the Aviation Industry

Abstract

AI is increasingly applied in aviation industry such as traffic management, predictive maintenance, flight operations and safety systems. The fast progress in AI increases the potential for improvements at all levels. Wise integration into aviation will enable improved performance, e.g. speed up the transition to reduction of environmental impact, reduce operational costs, and improve overall operation and safety.

    We are conducting research in AI systems and developing “proof of concept” in a vide area of applications such as predictive maintenance, autonomous flying, hybrid human-AI systems, flight path planning, decision support, monitoring mental state (tiredness, stress, distraction, etc.). At the same time, it is a risk to become overconfident in AI systems and it is critical to develop safe and secure hybrid AI systems; there are many examples of naive deployment of AI where lack of understanding of the application domain together with lack of understanding of the different AI methods, techniques, and algorithms have led to serious events and even fatalities. Many AI systems we see today are by nature not fully trustable, since they heavily rely on statistical learning and lack reasoning capabilities and deeper understanding. We need to take this into account already when designing an AI system. Securing proper safeguards and validation already in the initial design phase is essential; otherwise, the system may become a dead end, unreliable, unscalable, or unsafe for deployment.

    In conclusion, artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the aviation industry in all areas, including safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We will over the next 5–10 years see more autonomous aircrafts and drones occupying our airspace, see an increase in safety, increased performance and reduced environmental impact as a consequence of increased deployment of AI. At the same time, we need to be in control and understand when, where and how to use AI, how much we can trust AI and how much responsibility we can delegate to AI.