Artificial Intelligence is significantly impacting various aspects of life. Could it also help avert fatalities in aviation disasters? Over 100 individuals have lost their lives in air accidents this year, including a midair collision between a commercial aircraft and a helicopter near Washington, DC, and a plane crashing into a bus on a street in Sao Paulo.
The deadly events in the first two months of the new year followed a previous year that was labeled as one of the most lethal in aviation history, with at least 318 fatalities from 11 civilian airplane incidents, including two occurrences in the last week of December.
Though fatal air crashes are uncommon, they receive immense attention, often rekindling fears associated with flying. According to the Cleveland Clinic, at least 25 million adults in the United States struggle with a fear of flying, a fear often intensified not only by crashes but also by events like emergency landings, a door decompressing from a plane, and aircraft veering off runways.
Industry experts and investigations agree that most crashes result from human error.
While artificial intelligence is increasingly incorporated in the aviation sector—ranging from optimizing routes and enhancing fuel efficiency to enabling predictive maintenance and promoting sustainability—can it also improve safety and prevent tragedies and loss of life?
“A lot is being done, and even more is forthcoming,” stated Freshta Farzam, CEO and founder of LYTE Aviation, in an interview with Al Jazeera.
“AI is already significantly contributing to the reduction of aviation accidents and fatalities by enhancing situational awareness, facilitating predictive maintenance, and refining decision-making procedures. In air traffic control (ATC) and collision avoidance, AI is making substantial contributions.”
Safety remains a priority in the aviation field, where the protection of passengers and crew, along with the smooth operation of air travel, is essential, as noted in a research paper titled “Artificial Intelligence in Aviation Safety: Systematic Review and Biometric Analysis.” “As the industry progresses, it is vital to adopt technological advancements like AI,” it emphasized.
According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2023, there was one accident for every 1.26 million flights—marking the lowest rate in over ten years. However, this was succeeded by more than 400 casualties within the next 14 months.
Up to 80 percent of aviation accidents are linked to human error, with pilot mistakes accounting for 53 percent of aviation incidents. Nonetheless, air travel is not the most perilous form of transportation, based on information from Panish-Shea-Ravipudi LLP, a law firm in Los Angeles, California.
“Air travel safety is contingent upon the operator, the equipment, and the training procedures that support the flight itself. Without rigorous aviation safety training and protocols, air travel poses risks to both private and commercial passengers,” it noted.
Pace of transformation
So how can AI assist in reducing disasters and preventing fatalities?
“In the realm of aviation, significant advancements in AI are underway, though much of it has yet to be integrated into the commercial aviation sector due to procedural and certification delays,” said Amad Malik, chief AI officer at Airport AI Exchange.
“Current regulations stipulate that extensive historical data is necessary before any new technology can be adopted in the commercial environment. What we have presently began in the 1960s. However, there’s also the concept of implementing AI as a local intelligence within the aircraft to identify and mitigate issues even if the pilot or ATC make mistakes.
“Our approach is to build upon existing systems rather than replacing them entirely. The greatest challenge we face in advancing technology is thinking innovatively and identifying what should be replaced. Regardless of the technology introduced, if we fail to let go of outdated practices, learn from them, adapt, and improve, progress will be hindered.”
Significant changes and innovations in air travel are currently emerging, including the burgeoning air-taxi market, which is anticipated to experience exponential growth by the end of the decade.
By 2029, the air-taxi market is projected to increase from $4.9 billion last year to $80.3 billion, according to research firm Spherical Insights. This increase in market demand is “driven by the need for alternative transportation options and the growing issue of traffic congestion in urban areas,” a report by Mordor Intelligence indicated.
As demand for both short- and long-distance air travel grows alongside technological advancements, could self-flying and autopilot aircraft be the answer?
“Human mistakes, misjudgment, fatigue, and poor decision-making are the primary causes of aviation accidents,” Farzam explained. “AI has the potential to address these risks, resulting in safer flights. However, the key challenge will be building trust. We recognize that true innovation often requires a hybrid phase before fully transitioning. Autonomous air taxis and sky buses may emerge, but not within the next 15 years. Society needs to prepare for this change.”
In January 2023, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun stated: “I believe that the future of autonomy in civil aviation is indeed a reality.”
“It will require time. Everyone must develop confidence. We need a certification process that inspires trust and credibility,” he mentioned in an interview with Bloomberg TV.
An article for the 2023 World Economic Forum indicated that “although the idea of autonomous aircraft may cause discomfort for some, it’s crucial to consider how autonomy can enhance human capabilities in aviation – rather than merely replacing them.”
“Many aircraft functions are currently automated, with highly accurate autopilots and flight control systems guiding planes along meticulously planned routes, often with minimal human involvement. Onboard automation, coupled with appropriate space and ground-based positioning and communication systems, can also routinely land large airliners safely even in extremely challenging, zero-visibility conditions,” authors David Hyde and Jia Xu noted.
However, Malik, a certified pilot himself, contended that integrating AI into aircraft at this moment “would likely create more challenges than it solves because there’s a need for communication with the ground and other aircraft, making everything quite complex.”
“It’s not that the technology isn’t available yet, but it requires significantly more testing and development. We also need to consider how to incorporate AI into air traffic control. If AI is piloting an aircraft, an ATC operator can’t simply use the radio to say, ‘Hey AI, can you descend 500 feet?’. That approach isn’t feasible.”
“If we attempt to deploy such a solution, we’re heading towards a scenario that is far more complicated than necessary. Hence, the path forward involves collaborating towards a system that is entirely AI-driven on both ground and air fronts.”
Farzam emphasized that “AI can coexist with human pilots” and that “AI-assisted co-pilots could step in during emergencies, helping to minimize human error.”
“A new era has commenced, and we hope that AI will also contribute to advancing sustainability in aviation, moving beyond mere experimental projects to truly impactful sustainable solutions.”
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