FAA launched new AI ‘SMART’ tool to all air route traffic control centers just days before nationwide ground stop

The FAA expanded its AI-supported air traffic tool, SMART, to all 22 of its air route traffic control centres on Tuesday, three days before a nationwide ground stop halted flights across the United States. The timing drew attention to the new system, although the FAA did not immediately connect it to the disruption.

SMART combines about 200 data streams, including flight paths, schedules and weather, to help identify airspace constraints and other issues. The FAA announced the stop at 4 p.m. on Friday, citing “extraordinary circumstances”; a source suggested a software upgrade may have contributed, but the cause was not confirmed.