Hi All;
I am working on our new computer replacement in the US... Believe me, the computer engineers are NOT ready to replace us yet. There are all sorts of things that we have asked for that the engineers have said, no we can't do that, that is too hard, or you can't afford that <G>...
Will we ever get to the point where computers can actually "think" like we do and do our work. Yup, you can bet on it. They just aren't there yet. I expect it is going to be at least another human generation before we get anywhere close to it. ATC automation is MUCH harder than airplane automation. You have pretty established things for flying an aircraft and they don't change unless something goes wrong with the aircraft. With ATC, it is constantly changing and even a good clearance goes bad when the aircraft doesn't do what was instructed in a prompt manner... Lets not even bother to throw the variables about weather in there <G>...
regards
Scott