Emirates Considers AI Co-Pilots To Fly Passenger Planes In The Future

Emerity is considering using the Co-Pilot AI in the future. (photo: twitter @emirates)

JAKARTA - Emirates airline president Tim Clark told CNBC that in the future we might see a plane with one pilot. Can the aircraft fly completely automatically? Yes, current technology is progressing enough for that.

However, he added that passengers prefer to think that there are two pilots in the cockpit. According to his view, there will always be someone in the cockpit of the plane.

His remarks came as the debate escalated about the extent and how quickly artificial intelligence (AI) technology should be developed.

To emphasize how important the role of pilots in the cockpit is, Joji Waites, head of aviation safety of the Balpa pilot union, wrote on a blog: "Stable pilots are part of a complicated safety system that reduces the risk and maintains the safety of passengers. Pilots are not just aircraft drivers - they are skilled professionals who are part of an important safety system to ensure passengers, crew and cargo arrive safely at their destination."

He explained that pilots should be navigators, engineers, technicians, weather experts, and customer service managers.

"In one working day, pilots interact with other flight crews, ground crew, cabin crew, air traffic controllers, and passengers, only part of a few examples. A pilot must be able to communicate well, not only in flight terminology (for example using radio to talk to air traffic controllers), but also in interpersonal relationships," Waites added, quoted by the Daily Mail.

Pilots must be able to establish good relations with flight crews and other cabins easily because they often fly with different crews. They must be able to exchange information clearly with people they have never met before. A pilot must also communicate information to passengers.

"In addition to being responsible for passengers, a captain is also responsible for the entire crew of the aircraft on board. Understanding their needs, flight time limits, rest needs, industry agreements, and supporting them in dealing with passengers is an important part of the work," he added.