The Federal Aviation Administration has selected Air Space Intelligence, a Boston-based company, to develop an AI-assisted software platform aimed at improving efficiency in the nation’s congested airspace. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the $875-million tool, which is formally known as Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories, or SMART.
Phillip Buckendorf, CEO and cofounder of Air Space Intelligence, stressed that the system is designed to support human decision-makers rather than replace them. According to Buckendorf, air traffic controllers will continue to handle the critical responsibility of maintaining safe separation between aircraft. The SMART system is intended for traffic managers who oversee broader airspace operations. The software analyzes data from over 200 sources, including weather patterns, congestion levels, turbulence, wind conditions, and runway availability, to suggest optimal flight paths and routing decisions. Traffic managers retain full authority over whether to implement the system’s recommendations.
The FAA plans to begin implementation with a pilot program at three major airports in the Washington, D.C., area. This approach has drawn criticism from Rep. Don Beyer, whose Virginia district includes Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, who characterized the rollout as using constituents as test subjects for an unproven system. Buckendorf acknowledged legitimate public concerns about artificial intelligence in air traffic control but encouraged critics to examine how the technology actually functions, noting that misconceptions stem from lack of familiarity with the system.
Former FAA air traffic controller Dave Riley characterized SMART as a positive development but cautioned against viewing it as a comprehensive solution to systemic challenges facing the air traffic system, particularly ongoing staffing shortages that result in mandatory overtime for controllers. Riley suggested the emphasis on artificial intelligence may be overstated. Buckendorf countered that air traffic managers deserve access to modern, sophisticated software comparable to predictive capabilities found in consumer mapping applications.
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