No Chat GPT In The FAA

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA vehemently denied using Chat GPT in any of its systems, including for air traffic operations (ATO) or writing computer code, after being erroneously listed on a Department of Transportation (DOT) AI use report.
  • The DOT's initial report, mandated by an executive order, incorrectly stated the FAA used Chat GPT for tasks such as "Automated Delay Detection," classifying incident reports, and generating ATO computer code.
  • Concerns were raised about Chat GPT's potential use for sensitive ATO code, given its reputation for producing "buggy" and insecure code; the DOT has since removed these incorrect references from its list.
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The FAA has issued a statement saying it does not use Chat GPT to help write computer code in its air traffic operations (ATO) or in any other systems. The agency hastily issued the statement after the Department of Transportation published a list of AI use throughout its organization. The list is required for compliance with an executive order mandating the enumeration of any and all AI use in government reports. The inclusion of three uses of Chat GPT within the ATO was reported by FedScoop and resulted in a quick response from the agency.

“The FAA does NOT use Chat GPT in any of its systems, including air traffic systems,” the FAA told FedScoop. “The entry was made in error and has been updated.” The DOT list said the FAA used Chat GPT for something called “Automated Delay Detection using voice processing” and to classify incident reports. But perhaps the most alarming reference was the DOT’s assertion that the FAA used Chat GPT to help write computer code for the ATO. FedScoop says Chat GPT is notoriously bad at writing code, quoting an Australian expert on the subject as saying it often produces “buggy” and insecure code. The DOT has since removed the references from its list of AI applications.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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