Editing Air traffic controller (section)

=== Future prospects ===
{{See also|Next Generation Air Transportation System}}

With new technologies such as [[artificial intelligence]] emerging, efforts to automate certain tasks of ATCs began.<ref name=":2" />

The focus of the industry is on the development of assisting and predicting artificial intelligence tools as well as the automation of repetitive tasks rather than attempts to replace the controllers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=How AI is being piloted to help direct air traffic at Heathrow airport |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/11/29/one-of-the-worlds-busiest-airports-is-piloting-using-ai-to-assist-air-traffic-control |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pritchett |first=Amy |date=2024-02-12 |title=Why AI can't replace air traffic controllers |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/why-ai-cant-replace-air-trafficcontrollers/index.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=Digitalisation and AI in air traffic control: balancing innovation with the human element {{!}} EUROCONTROL |url=https://www.eurocontrol.int/article/digitalisation-and-ai-air-traffic-control-balancing-innovation-human-element |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=eurocontrol.int |language=en}}</ref> There is a consensus among developers and airport operators that, in the foreseeable future, air traffic controllers will tend to be more of a system manager overseeing decisions made by automated systems and intervening to resolve unexpected situations, which is currently one of the most difficult tasks for artificial intelligence, making full replacement unlikely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Copperchase |date=2024-06-19 |title=What Changes Could We See In The Future Of Air Traffic Control? |url=https://www.copperchase.co.uk/changes-could-see-air-traffic-control/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Copperchase Ltd |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Innovation in the air traffic control service |url=https://www.innosuisse.admin.ch/en/innovation-in-the-air-traffic-control-service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205234323/https://www.innosuisse.admin.ch/en/innovation-in-the-air-traffic-control-service |archive-date=2025-02-05 |access-date=2025-02-05 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=SESAR Joint Undertaking. |url=https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2829/945876 |title=Automation in air traffic management :long term vision and initial research roadmap : summary report. |date=2020 |publisher=Publications Office |location=LU |doi=10.2829/945876|isbn=978-92-9216-159-0 }}</ref> One challenge with partially automated workflows is the potential for skill and knowledge disintegration due to reduced daily practice. One possible solution is the use of computer-based training or [[simulation]] technologies to maintain continuous learning and proficiency.<ref>{{Cite web |work=EASA Together4Safety |publisher=[[European Union Aviation Safety Agency]] |date=4 Aug 2021 |title=Safety Issue Report – Skills and Knowledge Degradation due to Lack of Recent Practice |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/community/system/files/2021-08/Safety%20Issue%20Report%20-%20%20Skills%20and%20Knowledge%20Degradation_REV2%20Clean_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001112128/https://www.easa.europa.eu/community/system/files/2021-08/Safety%20Issue%20Report%20-%20%20Skills%20and%20Knowledge%20Degradation_REV2%20Clean_0.pdf |archive-date=1 Oct 2024 |access-date=6 Feb 2025}}</ref>

Another approach to modernization is the construction of fully digital [[remote and virtual tower]]s that can be accessed from anywhere in the world allowing for controllers to work remotely. Developments are already advanced, with the first remote-controlled tower having opened in Sweden in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remote ATC towers and the changing airport landscape |url=https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/115098/remote-digital-towers-evolution-atm/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=International Airport Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-30 |title=World's first remote air traffic control tower to open in Sweden |url=https://newatlas.com/worlds-first-remote-air-traffic-control-tower-saab-sweden/32735/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=New Atlas |language=en-US}}</ref>

Another concern is the acceptance or willingness by the controllers to use such technology. In a study with 500 air traffic controllers Bekier et al. found that as soon as the focus of decision-making shifts away from the air traffic controller, support for the technology dramatically decreases.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bekier |first1=Marek |last2=Molesworth |first2=Brett R. C. |last3=Williamson |first3=Ann |date=2012-02-01 |title=Tipping point: The narrow path between automation acceptance and rejection in air traffic management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092575351100230X |journal=Safety Science |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=259–265 |doi=10.1016/j.ssci.2011.08.059 |issn=0925-7535|url-access=subscription }}</ref>