How the EU-funded DIALOG project is investigating the safe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the aviation sector by supporting Air Traffic Controllers

As the global aviation sector faces the dual challenges of accommodating increasing air traffic demand and meeting strict sustainability goals, technological innovation is increasingly important. AI and automation offer significant opportunities to optimise flight trajectories, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance airspace capacity. However, in a safety-critical domain like Air Traffic Management (ATM), introducing AI is not merely a matter of software engineering. It is fundamentally a matter of human trust, safety, and collaboration.

This is the core challenge addressed by the DIALOG project. Supported by European funding, the DIALOG consortium brings together leading research institutes, academia, and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), namely SINTEF, Deep Blue, DSNA, ONERA, Radboud University, and DFS, to develop and validate the Teamwork Assistant, an AI-driven support system. This digital concept is designed not to replace the human operators, but to work alongside them as a reliable and transparent teammate.

The power of human-AI teaming

The traditional approach to automation often forces human operators to adapt to rigid algorithms, which can lead to a loss of situational awareness and an unbalanced cognitive workload. DIALOG addresses this challenge by adopting a strictly human-centred and operationally grounded approach. The objective is to tailor the AI to human cognitive capabilities and limitations, preserving the unique decision-making skills of human professionals.

To achieve a successful and safe collaboration between a human operator and an automated AI system, the DIALOG project focuses on core pillars:

Transparency and reliability: The human operator must be able to understand what the AI is doing, why it is making certain suggestions, and what its ultimate goal is. Understanding the behaviour of the digital teammate is crucial to fostering efficient collaboration.

Human agency and accountability: The operator must remain fully in control. Sharing responsibilities is a key theme in human-AI teaming, but humans are always accountable for the final decisions. They must be able to easily nudge, override, or modify an AI suggestion.

Shared mental models: The AI must complement the human. Instead of the controller adapting to the machine, the machine must align with the controller’s mental model of the airspace to provide contextual and useful support.

Real-world validations: Testing with ATCOs

The theoretical framework of human-AI teaming requires rigorous practical evaluation. In March 2026, the DIALOG project reached a crucial milestone by conducting intensive validation exercises.

Led by the human factors validation experts at Deep Blue, the DIALOG Teamwork Assistant was tested in realistic simulation environments alongside licensed and certified Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs). The objective was to evaluate the technical performance of the prototype, assess its impact on the controllers’ cognitive workload, and gather direct, operational feedback from the end-users.

The initial insights from these validation sessions have been very positive. During the debriefing phases, ATCOs reported that the Teamwork Assistant helped them stay on track, reducing mental fatigue during repetitive tasks while supporting their confidence in making complex decisions. By safely offloading routine operations to the digital assistant, controllers could focus their attention on strategic planning and safety-critical interventions.

Paving the way for sustainable aviation

Integrating advanced AI into the control room is considered a vital stepping stone toward sustainable aviation. When ATCOs are supported by intelligent systems, they can manage airspace more efficiently. This enables direct routing and optimised descent profiles that aim to cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

The DIALOG project is gathering evidence to demonstrate that the future of ATM relies on synergy rather than substitution. By fostering reliability, shared responsibilities, and operational trust, the research contributes to a framework where human intelligence and artificial intelligence can operate together safely, helping to ensure that European skies remain highly efficient and secure.

About DIALOG

DIALOG is a European research project focused on the seamless integration of artificial intelligence in Air Traffic Management. By developing a human-centred Teamwork Assistant, the project aims to enhance safety, reduce controller workload, and support the transition toward a more sustainable and efficient European sky. The project is coordinated by SINTEF and involves a consortium of leading European experts in human factors and aviation technology.

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Funding acknowledgement

This project has received funding from the European Union under the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking research and innovation programme, grant number 101166886.

Please note, this article will also appear in the 26th edition of our quarterly publication.