The CAA has published its i) response to emerging AI-enabled automation (CAP3064 here), ii) strategy for regulating AI in the UK aviation industry (CAP3064A here), iii) and strategy how it will use AI. Here we summarise the first and second - how the CAA plans to regulate AI rather than use it.

The impact of AI

The CAA had already published its framework for AI, consisting of:

This is the 'foundational AI framework that will ensure consistency and enable capability enhancement across regulatory and operational domains'. It underpins the strategies for regulating AI in aerospace and the CAA's use of AI.

In the CAA's response to emerging AI-enabled automation, it provides the following overview of how AI could influence the CAA, having previously produced a horizon scanning paper on AI use cases in aviation (CAP3019 here).

The CAA recognises there are two main challenges of AI use for regulation:

The CAA's readiness for regulating AI and potential impact will be assessed against 8 critical elements of effective safety and security oversight as described by the International Civil Aviation Organisation:

The CAA seeks to align to the UK government's pro-innovation approach to AI regulation whilst also considering international AI regulations and standards.

The above will then inform the CAA's AI Portfolio which will be the delivery body for the strategies. The CAA will establish an AI Strategy & Portfolio Hub, providing guidance, promoting sandboxing and working groups, and ensuring the effective implementation to the UK's AI regulatory principles.

As part of all this, the CAA aims to integrate AI governance into existing governance frameworks.

Whilst no formal consultation is open, the CAA states that it welcomes feedback as it continually monitors and evolves its strategy.