The intention would not be to have it unmanned but controlled from the ground. To work it would have to be autonomous, and I agree that the integration with ATC would be the toughest part.
I think that it will go hand in hand with the long overdue automation of ATC.
It is interesting that people are worrying about the systems dealing with airborne threats.
Ask yourself what TCAS really is.
TCAS detects a developing problem.
It decides what to do to resolve the issue.
It then tells the pilot what to do.
The pilot is not supposed to question the instruction, merely follow it.
Essentially, TCAS is an automated system with a pilot thrown in to add potential for f@ckup.
A potential that pilots fulfil with monotonous regularity. >50% in one of the UKs largest airlines.
The removal of the pilot from this system could only improve safety, and this system is very old tech.
With something like EO DAS fitted, the aircraft would be a lot better placed than airline pilot visual lookout that mostly sees the Times headlines....