SMART: A New Tool to Assist Aviation
As of Sept. 21, 2026, the effect of Artificial Intelligence on our lives appears to have increased. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recently implemented an AI called SMART across 3 airports within Washington, D.C., with the task of assisting in flight control. But why should this matter if it is occurring in D.C.? Well, because it is currently under a 90-day trial, after which it will then spread throughout the United States.
SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories) predicts traffic flows and identifies potential conflicts before they occur by reviewing pre-existing flight data. The AI model then digests data and turns it into predictions that can be used to avoid dangerous weather conditions and reduce both cancellations and delays. Lastly, the personnel within the air traffic control tower make the decision of whether or not to follow said suggestions.
As previously mentioned, the SMART AI will first be in trial within Washington, D.C. for 90 days, after which it will be installed in airports all throughout the U.S. if it is found to be efficient. The data that the FAA is specifically looking for includes a reduction in fuel consumption, a reduction in congestion, and creating real-time predictions of airspace conditions.
“I think it is awesome that they are having AI help out air traffic controllers, especially after the great accident at MIA. I think it will help the people directing aerospace travel consider more possibilities and more variables that may usually go unnoticed. On top of that, I heard that it will reduce the amount of flight delays and cancellations, something that has unfortunately ruined many trips. So yeah, I think it’s pretty cool,” said frequent traveller, Andres Vega.
SMART would essentially aid air traffic control in terms of providing more thorough data before and during flights. It would also help in reducing air travel incidents, which appear to be occurring on a day-to-day basis according to the FAA. However, even though it appears to have many benefits, there is fear among people that the AI may make miscalculations, which may possibly result in fatal accidents.
“I think AI in air traffic control has both benefits and drawbacks. It can lessen the workload on human controllers and provide useful information and warnings, but it may make mistakes when faced with unexpected situations. This becomes especially dangerous because one mistake could put hundreds of lives at risk. I think these systems should be thoroughly tested and carefully monitored before they come to an airport that I go to,” said sophomore Lucas Vera.
This worry is a common one, especially when considering the fact that sometimes AI is incapable of solving mathematical problems without errors. However, the difference between these two situations is the fact that people’s lives are not at stake when relying on AI to solve said mathematical problems. Therefore, as long as the actual personnel maintains the power of having the final say, SMART appears to be an extremely beneficial tool.
However, to avoid overreliance on the AI model, moderation should be applied. On top of that, one thing must remain as is: humans being in charge. After all, who is better to decide what will be more beneficial for a human than a fellow human?
