Airplane parts need thorough inspections, and AI can help -- but only if data is up to snuff

Aviation parts inspections still rely heavily on human expertise, but AI is starting to streamline quality assurance—if manufacturers can feed it enough data. At Safran, inspectors historically spent 20 to 30 minutes checking items such as toilet lids, focusing on consistent colors, smooth surfaces, and defects like paint bubbles or scratches. Safran says experienced inspectors can detect up to 90% of defects in areas including cabin galleys and passenger seats, though fatigue can make results vary. Business Insider reports that Lehigh University researcher Zheng Yao says AI can reduce the workload, but training requires sufficient datasets; otherwise, companies can turn to synthetic data made from computer-generated imagery and 3D simulations.