U.S. Transportation Secretary: AI to Assist Air Traffic Control, First Phase of FAA Modernization May Cost $16 Billion

en.Wedoany.com Reported - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said artificial intelligence will be part of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) air traffic control modernization project, but its initial use will mainly be to provide information to controllers rather than make operational decisions independently. He said the technology will be introduced gradually as the FAA replaces radars, radios, voice switching equipment and other aging equipment.

Duffy made the remarks while speaking at a dinner of the National Artificial Intelligence Association. "We are building brand-new equipment — whether it's radars, radios or voice switching equipment," he said. The adoption of AI will be "a slow march into the airspace."

Duffy cited weather management as one area where AI can provide additional information to controllers. He said the technology can help identify routes around or through weather and improve traffic efficiency. The remarks come as the FAA continues to advance broader air traffic control modernization efforts, including new software and automation. In June, the agency awarded a contract to Air Space Intelligence to procure software and AI technology for the Air Traffic Control System Command Center.

Duffy also stressed that controllers remain in charge. "It's not going to be the most sophisticated AI that drives this, but AI that provides information to controllers, and I think it will have a huge impact on the flying public," he said. He also said the tools the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering are different from the more advanced general-purpose AI models that have raised widespread safety and oversight concerns.

The FAA's modernization project has already been costly. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told lawmakers this week that the first phase is expected to cost about $16 billion, higher than the $12.5 billion Congress has already appropriated for modernization and facilities construction. The agency is also seeking additional funding for the next phase of the comprehensive overhaul.