The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has unveiled its strategy on artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting the challenges and opportunities it poses for the aerospace industry.
The regulator has laid out the steps that will guide the regulation of AI within the sector and has also described how it will use the technology to support its own operations.
Tim Johnson, director of strategy and policy at the CAA, said: “AI is a technology that is being harnessed in many sectors, and aerospace is no exception. In doing so, we must ensure the benefits can be realised while maintaining the levels of safety and consumer protection that the public rightly expect.”
In the CAA’s views, the safe adoption of AI could potentially boost the effectiveness of air traffic controllers by bringing about changes in how the skies are controlled using real-time data and predictive modelling.
AI could also lead to fewer delays at airports through tools that can better foresee operational issues, while passengers might also experience more efficient booking, check-in, boarding and arrival procedures.
More fuel-efficient flying could also be possible, alongside the enabling of quicker and more efficient routes, while smoother landings are another potential benefit.
The CAA said: “As AI technologies advance, they also bring issues that need to be assured, including reliability, trust and safety, all with appropriate regulatory oversight.
“The UK CAA will introduce a roadmap so that the strategy set out today will enable the innovation of tomorrow. This supports the wider UK government pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.”
The regulator added that it is working with organisations in the aerospace sector to identify emerging technology and models.