The U.S. Department of Transportation is overhauling the national air-traffic-control system with a $12 billion program incorporating artificial-intelligence tools [1].
This modernization effort aims to replace aging equipment and reduce chronic flight delays by using AI to predict congestion and manage airspace more efficiently [3, 5].
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the new technology, known as the SMART system, is designed to assist rather than replace human operators. When asked about the possibility of AI taking over the role of controllers, Duffy said, "That's not gonna happen" [1, 2].
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the SMART system uses AI to predict air traffic congestion and adjust flight schedules early [3]. While the overall overhaul is estimated at $12 billion [1], other reports indicate Duffy is seeking $10 billion specifically for the AI software component [3].
The push for modernization follows concerns over system reliability. One recent incident involved a 90-second radar and communications blackout at Newark-Liberty Airport [3]. Officials said the integration of AI will help prevent such failures and improve overall safety [5].
"AI will aid, not replace, air traffic controllers," Duffy said [2]. The FAA is currently accepting bids for the system to ensure the technology integrates seamlessly with existing human-led operations [4].
“AI will aid, not replace, air traffic controllers.”
The transition to the SMART system represents a shift toward 'augmented intelligence' in critical infrastructure. By automating the predictive analysis of congestion, the FAA aims to reduce the cognitive load on human controllers, potentially mitigating the risk of human error during high-traffic periods without removing the final layer of human oversight.
