Re:The Differences Between the Plane Crash in Tapei and the ...
by mikeash on Thursday April 09, 2015 @11:04AM
(#9348023)
I think you're right, but I think the distinction between "killed by a computer flying an airplane" and "killed with no human in the cockpit" is important.
For one thing, I think it means the transition will be easier than most people fear. As we get more and more automated, we'll start making entire flights from gate to gate without human intervention. At some point, somebody will say, "It's been three years since the last time a human airline pilot actually did anything, so clearly you're all comfortable with being flown around by a computer, let's take that final step" in a convincing manner.
For one thing, I think it means the transition will be easier than most people fear. As we get more and more automated, we'll start making entire flights from gate to gate without human intervention. At some point, somebody will say, "It's been three years since the last time a human airline pilot actually did anything, so clearly you're all comfortable with being flown around by a computer, let's take that final step" in a convincing manner.