Saudi Arabia is pursuing a two-track approach to adopting artificial intelligence and automation across its aviation sector, balancing technological innovation with safety and human oversight, according to General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej.

Speaking during a ministerial panel on “AI, Automation and the Future Aviation Workforce” at the Aerospace Future Technology Symposium, held alongside the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 in Egypt, Al-Duailej said the first track targets faster adoption of advanced technologies in non-safety-critical functions.

The second involves a gradual and carefully assessed approach to safety-critical operations.

He said both tracks are designed to ensure new technologies maintain or improve existing safety levels, while keeping human capabilities and oversight at the centre of aviation operations.

Al-Duailej highlighted how AI is transforming aviation roles and increasing demand for specialised skills, including AI assurance, data science and human factors.

He also stressed the need to equip employees with the skills required to work effectively alongside automated systems.

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build national AI capabilities were also highlighted, including the Saudi Data & AI Authority’s One Million Saudis in AI (SAMAI) Initiative, which has surpassed its target of training one million Saudi men and women in artificial intelligence.

Al-Duailej said the achievement demonstrates Saudi leadership’s vision of developing an AI-enabled digital society, while stressing the need to translate this readiness into specialised aviation expertise through advanced training and simulation.

As automation expands, he emphasised that human expertise, situational awareness and the ability to intervene and make critical decisions must be preserved.

He also called for regulatory frameworks to evolve alongside technology while maintaining strong human oversight in safety-critical functions. -TradeArabia News Service