Artificial intelligence and its use in air transport

Abstract

In recent years, modern technologies have found large applications in sectors such as engineering, healthcare, information technology, robotics, and so forth. One important field in the use of such modern technologies is the field of air transport, where the main objective of using these technologies is to facilitate work for people, make individual tasks more efficient and faster, or reduce the risks associated with human error. In this paper, we will look at artificial intelligence and its use in aviation. Despite the rapid pace of improvement, artificial intelligence is still finding its way to reach its full potential. The history of artificial intelligence dates back to ancient times when many philosophers wondered whether a machine could think. The answer is found in the second half of the 20th century, when, besides theoretical knowledge, we can also observe the first intelligent machines. There is no clear and single correct definition for artificial intelligence, so the subject of the next section is to define artificial intelligence from different sources. The following section details the difference between deep learning and machine learning, comparing their main differences and applications in aviation. The analysis of the current state of application of artificial intelligence in aviation represents the core part of this paper. The emphasis in the analysis is put mainly on applications in the field of airports, air traffic management and safety. In each of these areas, the benefits of using AI are evaluated based on already established AI-enabled technologies. Finally, by analysing the sources available and those applied in our work with the use of a mathematical model, we assess how important the role artificial intelligence currently plays in air transport.