Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-23-CA) is a GA pilot, certified flight instructor and the only current member of Congress with a graduate-level degree in AI.
He chairs the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. He also serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he is a member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, the Subcommittee on Health, as well as the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce. In addition, Rep. Obernolte serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology as chair of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight.
Rep. Obernolte has over 5,000 hours of flight time, including nearly 3,000 hours flying jets, single-pilot.
On X @JayObernolte
Q: As the chair of the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence as well as a GA pilot, certified flight instructor and a computer engineer with a graduate degree in artificial intelligence, you have valuable insight into AI’s potential benefits and dangers in the aviation sector. What valuable applications might AI have in the business aviation sector, both short term and long term?
There is enormous potential for AI to become an essential tool in aviation. The use of AI will lead to increases in efficiency for aircraft design, development, manufacturing, and maintenance, as well as aircraft operations. AI technologies will facilitate autonomy in aviation through drones and remote piloted vehicles. Machine learning algorithms will also be used to improve air traffic awareness, landing guidance and GPS-independent navigation. The use of AI for monitoring air traffic and helping the FAA streamline administrative and regulatory tasks is already a reality.
Q: Can you see AI playing a role in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, related to air traffic control and coordinating flight operations?
With the near-term addition of AAM aircraft into our national airspace, AI will become a crucial tool for air traffic controllers and AAM operators alike as they seek to operate in an increasingly shared and congested airspace.
Rep. Jay Obernolte, right, recently toured Supernal’s facility in California, including its new, full-scale prototype eVTOL. (Photo: Courtesy Supernal)
Q: What are some of your major concerns about AI, and how can the federal government best address them in ways that ensure applications are rolled out with safety as a top priority?
AI will also unfortunately empower cybercriminals and become a potent weapon in geopolitical conflicts. Fortunately, the best defense against the malicious use of AI is the defensive use of AI. AI will be a powerful tool in combating hostile cybersecurity activity, which is why it is so important for the U.S. to continue to lead the world in this technology.
Q: What is the most important, yet largely unknown, aspect of AI that you want Americans to know about?
AI has the potential to be the most powerful tool ever created for the dissemination of human knowledge. AI can already teach you nearly anything you want to learn about in whatever learning style is most effective for you. The ease with which knowledge can be transferred and shared using AI will have a profound effect on our society.
“Americans should realize that most federal agencies are already regulating the use of AI within their sectoral spaces. ”
Q: Is AI advancing faster than Congress’ ability to provide effective oversight of this new technology?
No. It is important to recognize that although AI is a powerful tool, it is still merely a tool. Our laws are designed to protect people from harmful outcomes, and those laws apply regardless of the tool that was used to achieve them. For example, cybertheft is already illegal- it doesn’t matter if a cybercriminal uses AI to accomplish it.
Also, Americans should realize that most federal agencies are already regulating the use of AI within their sectoral spaces. For example, the FDA has approved over 700 applications for the use of AI in medical devices – and 200 of those are already on shelves being sold. Healthcare, like aviation, is one of the highest risk-use cases for AI, yet by most accounts, the FDA is doing a commendable job of regulating the use of AI in these devices.
It is far easier to teach the FDA or the FAA what it does not know about artificial intelligence than it would be to teach a brand-new, AI-centered bureaucracy everything it would need to know about healthcare or aviation, respectively. We need to make sure the federal agencies have the tools and workforce to do their job.
Q: What aspects of the recent FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 did you especially support?
I fought for several initiatives that were included in the FAA Reauthorization Act. One amendment I championed will better coordinate pilot check rides and more efficiently get pilots into the flight deck.
Another amendment will allow the sale of more environmentally friendly unleaded aviation fuel when the FAA approves it.
I’m also proud that the act includes an AAM-specific section for the first time ever, which will set the stage for success in this dynamic new segment of aviation.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.