How the EU-funded DIALOG project is exploring the safe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in aviation by supporting air traffic controllers
Innovation is becoming increasingly important as the global aviation industry faces the dual challenge of meeting growing air traffic demands and meeting stringent sustainability targets. AI and automation offer significant opportunities to optimize flight trajectories, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance airspace capacity. However, in safety-critical areas like air traffic management (ATM), implementing AI is more than just a software engineering problem. It is fundamentally a question of human trust, security, and cooperation.
This is the central challenge addressed by the DIALOG project. With European funding, the DIALOG consortium brings together leading research institutions, academia, and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) (SINTEF, Deep Blue, DSNA, ONERA, Radboud University, DFS) to develop and validate Teamwork Assistant, an AI-driven support system. This digital concept is designed not to replace human operators, but to work alongside them as a trusted and transparent teammate.
The power of teaming humans and AI
Traditional automation approaches often require human operators to adapt to rigid algorithms, which can lead to loss of situational awareness and imbalanced cognitive workload. DIALOG addresses this challenge by taking a strictly human-centered, operations-based approach. The goal is to tailor AI to human cognitive capabilities and limitations while preserving the unique decision-making skills of human experts.
To ensure successful secure collaboration between human operators and automated AI systems, the DIALOG project focuses on the following core pillars:
Transparency and trust: Human operators must be able to understand what the AI is doing, why it is making certain suggestions, and what its ultimate goal is. Understanding the behavior of your digital teammates is key to fostering effective collaboration.
Human agency and accountability: Operators must remain in full control. Shared responsibility is a key theme in human-AI teaming, but humans are always responsible for the final decisions. You should be able to easily nudge, override, or change the AI’s suggestions.
Shared mental models: AI should complement humans. Rather than the controller adapting to the machine, the machine must work with the controller’s mental model of the airspace to provide situationally useful support.
Real-world validation: Testing with ATCO
Theoretical frameworks for human-AI teaming require rigorous practical evaluation. In March 2026, the DIALOG project reached an important milestone by conducting an intensive validation exercise.
Led by Deep Blue’s human factors validation experts, the DIALOG Teamwork Assistant was tested in a realistic simulation environment with licensed and certified air traffic controllers (ATCOs). The objective was to evaluate the technical performance of the prototype, evaluate its impact on the cognitive workload of the controller, and collect direct operational feedback from end users.
Initial insights from these validation sessions were very positive. During the reporting phase, ATCO reported that the teamwork assistant helped them stay on track and supported their confidence when making complex decisions while reducing mental fatigue during repetitive tasks. By safely offloading daily tasks to digital assistants, controllers can focus their attention on strategic planning and safety-critical interventions.
Paving the way to sustainable aviation
Integrating advanced AI into the control room is considered an important stepping stone towards sustainable aviation. When ATCOs are supported by intelligent systems, they can manage airspace more efficiently. This enables direct routing and optimized descent profiles aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The DIALOG project is gathering evidence that the future of ATMs relies on synergies rather than substitutions. By promoting reliability, shared responsibility and operational trust, this research will contribute to a framework in which human intelligence and artificial intelligence can safely operate together, helping to ensure the efficiency and safety of Europe’s skies.
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 the workload of air traffic controllers and support the transition to more sustainable and efficient European skies. The project is coordinated by SINTEF and includes a consortium of Europe’s leading experts in human factors and aviation technology.
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Approval of funding
This project has received funding from the European Union under the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Research and Innovation Program (grant number 101166886).
Please note: This is a commercial profile
This article will also be published in the quarterly magazine issue 26.
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