TECH FOCUS: AEROSPACE SKIES: OLE IN SPACE ATION AFETY Artificial intelligence is transforming aviation as we know it. By HIREN KUMAR, Mechanical Engineer at Zipline. Imagine being in an aerial vehicle, the vehicle recalibrating its route in response to sudden turbulent weather without human input. This real-time adaptability, powered by advancements in AI and machine learning, exemplifies the new safety and efficiency standards reshaping the aviation industry. AI is accelerating development across industries at unprecedented rates, and the field of aerospace is not immune to that. From commercial aircraft to drones, AI is transforming all aspects of how aviation systems operate. Yet, this transformation requires extreme caution. In an industry where lives are at stake, reliability and safety are not only desirable-but essential. The shift toward autonomy in aerospace The aviation industry stands at a turning point. While human expertise-from air traffic controllers to pilots to technicians-has been the backbone of aviation safety and operations, growing air traffic demands new solutions. UPDATE February 2025 15