FAA invests $875m in AI to modernize air traffic control

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investing $875 million in an AI-driven software program called SMART, aimed at addressing air traffic control challenges. The initiative, developed by Air Space Intelligence, is designed to enhance existing air traffic management systems through cloud-based technology. SMART uses artificial intelligence to analyze factors such as airline schedules, weather, airport capacity, and airspace conditions to predict traffic flows and identify potential conflicts before they occur. The program will be implemented in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area first, with plans to expand to other regions over a 12-year period. The FAA also announced a new hiring plan earlier this year to tackle staffing shortages, alongside broader efforts to modernize the nation’s aging air traffic systems. The Wall Street Journal reported the details of the SMART initiative, highlighting its role in streamlining air traffic operations.