Duffy: A 'human' will always be in charge of AI air traffic program

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Monday that a human will always manage American airspace, even as the government introduces a new AI tool intended to reduce delays. Speaking in Washington while unveiling the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) program, Duffy emphasized that the AI would analyze air travel, airport capacity, and weather, but would not directly manage airspace. The DOT says the rollout begins at Reagan Washington National (DCA), Dulles International (IAD), and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). Duffy aimed to address broader AI concerns raised by researchers at Anthropic, while also responding to President Trump’s skepticism about “rogue AI” warnings.