Understanding AI from EASA Perspective

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force in various industries, including aviation. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has recognized the potential of AI to revolutionize the aviation sector, while also acknowledging the new challenges and questions it poses. In response, EASA has developed the "Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2.0," outlining its strategy for addressing the opportunities and challenges of AI in aviation.

EASA's approach to AI in aviation is centered around the concept of trustworthiness. The agency aims to develop a human-centric AI trustworthiness framework, making EASA a leading oversight authority for AI, and supporting European aviation industry leadership in AI. Additionally, EASA seeks to contribute to an efficient European AI research agenda and actively participate in EU AI strategies and initiatives.

The roadmap identifies a series of issues related to the use of AI in aviation that need to be addressed, such as establishing public confidence in AI-enabled aviation products, preparing for the certification and approval of advanced automation, and integrating the ethical dimension of AI into oversight processes.

One of the key challenges identified by EASA is the need to ensure staff competency in AI. As AI impacts the agency's core safety functions, it is crucial to provide EASA personnel with the right level of AI expertise. To address this, EASA has initiated a comprehensive training plan and aims to expose its staff to AI/ML practices as soon as possible.

The impact of AI on various domains within the aviation sector is also highlighted in the roadmap. AI is expected to impact areas such as aircraft design and operation, aircraft production and maintenance, air traffic management, drones, and cybersecurity. EASA has identified the need to develop new processes, methods, and standards to unlock the potential of AI and further improve the current level of air transport safety.

Furthermore, the roadmap emphasizes the importance of ethical guidelines to ensure the trustworthy development and use of AI. EASA recognizes the need for a human-centric approach to AI trustworthiness, focusing on human agency and oversight, technical robustness and safety, AI assurance, privacy, data governance, and transparency.

EASA's rulemaking concept for AI involves the development of a transversal Part-AI containing major provisions for authorities, organizations, and AI trustworthiness, as well as an analysis of domain-specific requirements to provide a regulatory basis for deploying the new Part-AI.

In conclusion, the "Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2.0" provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of AI in the aviation sector. EASA's commitment to ensuring the trustworthiness, safety, and ethical use of AI, while addressing the need for collaboration, innovation, and adaptation to industry advancements, reflects the agency's proactive approach to embracing AI in aviation. As AI continues to evolve, EASA's roadmap serves as a living document, intended to be regularly amended and improved through discussions and practical work on AI development.