• Manned vs unmanned aircraft – “Piloting” or “typing”?
• Artificial intelligence biases vs cognitive biases – Who is better at spotting an anomaly?
• Simulation vs actual training – What creates airmanship?

Findings from the previous panels will provide insights into what aviators might look like in the next 100 years. Looking ahead, will manned aircraft still dominate the beginning of the XXII century? If not, what are the characteristics, skills and defining features of future aviators?

Assuming that the profile of an aviator will be very different in the future, complex questions arise and this panel will look at training from different angles, starting with the trainees themselves, but also considering related tools, technologies, science, domains and topics.

EDTs such as artificial intelligence (AI) will certainly play a role in future air operations: the relationship and division of labour between humans and technology shall be defined, and the “human in the loop” equation shall be addressed. Will human enhancement play a role too?

In addition, do we need to train our personnel on human cognitive biases, so that AI can be trained to overcome them rather than transfer those biases through machine learning? What training can we envisage when “digital twins” become a reality?

If the reaction time is pivotal and the airspace perfectly merges with outer space to form a new operational continuum for air forces (the “aerospace”), will the aviator be more of a pilot, an astronaut or a cyber expert? Finally, digital training will gain importance as part of the training manual, both to cut the cost of live training and to simulate complex scenarios that are not replicable in peacetime. Will Western aviators develop enough airmanship with just a few flying hours?

Panellists will explore the complexity of this topic and wrap up the conference by offering a glimpse into the future.