The Civil Aviation Authority is taking a proactive stance on Artificial Intelligence in aviation, balancing encouragement of innovation with strict oversight to protect safety, security and public trust. The regulator says it will both regulate Artificial Intelligence across the sector and adopt the technology responsibly within its own operations. Stakeholders were invited to participate in a survey to map use cases and inform prioritisation; the site also records that a previous consultation closed on 29 March 2024 and a summary of responses has been published. For enquiries or to engage, the CAA provides a dedicated contact at [email protected].
The CAA has published a strategic response composed of three main documents: a response to emerging Artificial Intelligence enabled automation, a strategy for regulating Artificial Intelligence in aerospace (part a), and a strategy for using Artificial Intelligence in the CAA (part b). At the centre of the regulator´s approach is an Artificial Intelligence framework built on three core elements: a common language for the technology, five AI principles intended to build trust, and a mapped technology landscape to guide risk assessment. The regulator emphasises alignment with global standards and collaboration with international partners and standards bodies, while setting out plans for research priorities, methods for assessing trustworthiness, and processes for approval of aviation applications that use machine learning or advanced automation.
Internally, the CAA plans a measured adoption of Artificial Intelligence, establishing guidelines for safe and responsible use, support for staff, and an organisational risk assessment framework. The strategy highlights how regulatory capability will be enhanced through informed oversight and clearer expectations for industry, including mechanisms for engagement and knowledge sharing. The three strategy documents are available as downloadable publications and are intended to give industry, consumers and the public a transparent picture of how the regulator will balance safety, consumer protection and environmental considerations as Artificial Intelligence is deployed across aerospace.
