Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, has said AETC intends to integrate artificial intelligence in the U.S. Air Force’s pilot training program, Federal News Radio reported Wednesday.
The command has tested AI and augmented reality pilot training systems in a beta program, and discovered that virtual trainers are capable of analyzing focus areas that students need to work on.
Kwast noted that AETC aims to leverage AI to train pilots to rapidly deploy personnel in the battlefield.
“Competence is the constant, so when you have learned to master the skill, you can go to your squadron and start being a part of the fight,†Kwast said.
He added that the command wants to deploy AI coaches to give airmen the freedom to choose what they want to learn about, which a human trainer will later validate.
AETC intends to submit its proposal to the secretary of the Air Force in 2019.
Reforming pilot training practices comes as the Air Force is set to deploy a new fleet of F-35 planes.