Artificial Intelligence – Can VTS be far behind?

By John Konrad On February 11, 2008

Artificial Intelligence
by Richard Rodriguez

NetworkWorld.com is reporting that the US Air Forces is looking to artificial intelligence for controlling aricraft. Automated ATC – now there’s a concept. Here’s an excerpt: “DARPA says the artificial intelligence software will learn by assembling knowledge from different sources-including generating knowledge by reasoning. According to a Military & Aerospace item, such software has to combine limited observations with subject expertise, general knowledge, reasoning, and by asking what-if questions.”

As a private pilot, I just can’t wait, let alone accept that HAL will eventually sequence me in the pattern.

As a licensed mariner, I can just imagine VTS moving to such an automated system. While it’s possible for federal pencil pushers to justify such a cost saving system; it’s that kind of logic that will lead to the end of the world as we know it.

Imagine the Coast Guard doing away with all Aids to Navigation and issuing a chart plotter to each mariner, both professional and recreational. Sure, it would save money, but the results would be catastrophic.

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This post was written by Richard Rodriguez, Rescue Tug Captain, and US Coast Guard approved instructor for License Training. You can read more of his articles at the BitterEnd of the net.

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About The Author

John Konrad

Captain John Konrad is co-founder of Unofficial Networks, Editor In Chief of this blog and author of the book Fire On The Horizon. He is a USCG licensed Master Mariner of Unlimited Tonnage and, since graduating from SUNY Maritime College, has sailed a variety of ships from ports around the world. John currently lives in Morro Bay, California with his wife and two children.