Latest Breaking News

BumRushDaShow

(172,288 posts) Wed Apr 22, 2026, 08:18 AM Apr 22

Transportation Secretary Duffy on concerns of AI replacing air traffic controllers: "That's not gonna happen"

Source: CBS News

Updated on: April 21, 2026 / 8:20 PM EDT

As the Department of Transportation begins the process of overhauling the country's air traffic control system — a $12 billion undertaking — there are already plans to integrate artificial intelligence into it in the future. Addressing fears that AI is meant to completely replace air traffic controllers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CBS News, "that's not gonna happen."

"AI is a tool, but we do not replace humans in how we manage the airspace," Duffy said. "Am I gonna replace a controller and have AI manage the airspace? The answer to that is hell no, that's not gonna happen."

What AI will do, according to Duffy, is help air traffic controllers move flights around to avoid delays by merging airline flight schedules with an FAA system.

"This software will say, 'Well, listen, we can see this 45 days out. Let's move some of those flights a little bit later, or five, seven, 10 minutes earlier, and we can resolve the issue. And so then you are not delayed,'" Duffy said.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-traffic-control-ai-software-sean-duffy/

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Transportation Secretary Duffy on concerns of AI replacing air traffic controllers: "That's not gonna happen" (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 22 OP

who in the hell are you kidding? Business is allowed to do anything they can gat away with for more profits Stargazer99 Apr 22 #1

it won't happen until it does. I'm never ever going to fly again. at least while these morons are in charge. nt Javaman Apr 22 #2

"Trust me, honey. I'll just put it in a little bit." Midnight Writer Apr 22 #3

In other words, it's already happening 0rganism Apr 22 #4

But at the same time, this regime is completely fucking okay with it replacing everyone else? Yeah...I'll take that with a Karasu Apr 22 #5

Stargazer99

(3,563 posts)

1. who in the hell are you kidding? Business is allowed to do anything they can gat away with for more profits

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 09:25 AM

Apr 22

Just watch in the next few years

Javaman

(65,979 posts)

2. it won't happen until it does. I'm never ever going to fly again. at least while these morons are in charge. nt

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 09:27 AM

Apr 22

Midnight Writer

(25,751 posts)

3. "Trust me, honey. I'll just put it in a little bit."

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 10:15 AM

Apr 22

0rganism

(25,715 posts)

4. In other words, it's already happening

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 12:38 PM

Apr 22

And once it's set up as part of the system, it'll be quite the trick to remove later.

Karasu

(2,070 posts)

5. But at the same time, this regime is completely fucking okay with it replacing everyone else? Yeah...I'll take that with a

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 03:09 PM

Apr 22

massive grain of salt, thank you very much.

Reply to this discussion

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.