September 30, 2024

Abram Tran

12th Grade

Westminster High School

How AI Can Help

As defined by Britannica, artificial intelligence or AI is a computer that is capable of performing tasks associated with intelligent beings. An AI model can simulate human-like intellectual abilities through a machine-learning process where it is trained to make an accurate prediction based on a large set of data, typically without human intervention. Though the issues the aviation industry has to tackle are unique to their field, many aviation companies have seen artificial intelligence (AI) as a possible way to improve efficiency. AI is rapidly becoming integral to the success of numerous industries in cutting down their workloads and achieving greater customer satisfaction, and aviation is no exception. From optimizing commercial flights to military applications, AI offers to potentially revolutionize the field of aviation and redefine how aircraft will be operated, maintained, and deployed in the future. 

Applications of AI in Aviation Industries

As the number of flights across the world increases each year, some airliners have begun to turn to AI to help improve their services. AI algorithms are capable of doing menial tasks such as sorting or tracking that human workers could do for longer periods with the advantage that they would not get tired or bored. A quality-of-life addition to some airports is an AI-based baggage tracking system developed by SITA that identifies alternative routes that a piece of baggage could take to arrive at its handler’s destination. An AI model called a chatbot, where the AI is trained through natural language processing to respond like a human, could relieve the workload for customer service representatives. KLM, a Dutch airliner, had to deal with an astounding 16,000 cases weekly and implemented an AI chatbot named BlueBot to aid customers book a flight more efficiently. The chatbot proved incredibly useful for the airliner with KLM reporting the chatbot assiited half a million customers in just 6 months. Applications of AI in the airline industry have provided benefits for both airlines and passengers alike, improving the experience of passengers and cutting down on the workload of the airports.

Aircraft require intensive maintenance to secure their operational safety, and the use of AI offers a hand to solve the challenges of aircraft maintenance. Here, an AI algorithm is set to analyze large amounts of data coming from sensors within the aircraft and to detect patterns that a normal human may miss before the issue becomes too problematic. For example, an AI may read on an engine sensor that something was unusual, and then mark it as a red flag for a maintenance team to look into and fix. Many airliners and aircraft companies such as Boeing, Skybus, and General Electric have already implemented predictive maintenance AI systems within their aircraft to do such tasks, with several other airliners planning to do so as well soon. A major benefit of implementing a predictive maintenance system within the aircraft involved reducing Aircraft downtime, resulting in fewer flight delays. Overall, AI has the potential to make aircraft more safe and efficient, saving money and saving lives.

The Future

AI promises a lot to several industries, especially aviation. AI offers new capabilities that enhance the safety and the experience of customers, and the operational efficiency of aircraft, and is set to create a new generation of combat aircraft. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on aviation with grow and lead to more advanced systems that can operate in more complex environments, with greater efficiency. A new era where AI is integrated with aviation is set to shape the future of flight for both civilian and military use.