Saudi Arabia is taking a two-track approach to introducing artificial intelligence and automation across its aviation sector, balancing faster innovation with safety and human oversight, according to General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej.
Speaking at a ministerial panel on AI, automation and the future aviation workforce in Egypt, Al-Duailej said the first track focuses on accelerating advanced technologies in non-safety-critical functions. The second calls for a gradual, carefully assessed approach to safety-critical operations.
The aim is to ensure that new technologies maintain or improve current safety levels while preserving human capabilities and oversight, he said.
AI is reshaping aviation roles and increasing demand for skills in areas such as AI assurance, data science and human factors. Al-Duailej also stressed the need to train employees to work effectively with automated systems.
He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s One Million Saudis in AI initiative, which has exceeded its target of training one million people in artificial intelligence. The next step, he said, is translating that broader capability into specialised aviation expertise through advanced training and simulation.
As automation expands, human expertise, situational awareness and the ability to intervene in critical decisions must remain central. Al-Duailej also called for regulation to evolve alongside technology while maintaining strong human oversight in safety-critical functions.
Source: Zawya
