Airlines are considering the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) instead of one of the pilots on board aircrafts to save on expenses and address the issue of lack of qualified personnel. However, the main concern is whether passengers would be willing to fly with only one human pilot in the cabin, and the question remains whether the technology is advanced enough to take over the job.
According to Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airlines, AI is ready to have a significant influence on the aviation industry, and planes with only one pilot are now a reality. While the idea may seem unheard of to many, the aviation industry is pursuing the reduction of the human factor through technology.
Over time, technology has dramatically impacted the number of crew members in the flight deck. In the 1950s, there were five crew members, including a navigator, a sorcerer, and a radio operator, in addition to the captain and the second pilot. Currently, two pilots are required on board to ensure security in case one of them loses control of the plane.
However, with the development of AI, technology can be used to land the aircraft at the destination airport during emergencies. The Tesla autopilot has demonstrated that AI can react faster to external factors than humans under emergency situations.
While aircrafts already utilize computers to automate several tasks, such as the autopilot controlling the plane during most of the flight, experiments with AI can start gradually. For instance, one of the pilots can rest in the cabin, while the other follows the flight with a smart assistant or even with assistance from a ground station during take-off and landing, with only one pilot in control during the rest of the flight.
Pilots remain skeptical of the potential of AI. While AI technology may someday replace human pilots, well-trained pilots can handle extreme situations such as landing the aircraft safely even on a river, which AI may not be able to do.
Despite these concerns, the gradual introduction of AI in the process of managing aircraft may be a positive step towards reducing costs and addressing the issue of a shortage of qualified pilots. It is up to industry stakeholders and passengers to weigh the benefits and risks of such a change.