FAA to deploy $875M AI system for air traffic management

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to launch a new $875 million artificial intelligence tool, known as SMART, designed to assist air traffic controllers in managing congestion. The system utilizes AI models to analyze complex variables, including weather patterns, airline schedules, and airport capacity, to predict traffic flows and identify potential safety conflicts. The initial rollout is scheduled for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, serving as a pilot program before a planned nationwide expansion across US airspace. Industry experts, including former FAA officials, have praised the phased approach as a prudent strategy for integrating advanced AI into critical aviation infrastructure. By automating the identification of bottlenecks, the FAA aims to enhance operational efficiency and safety across the national airspace system, marking a significant technological upgrade for the agency's traffic management capabilities.