AI recreates voices of deceased pilots – NTSB reacts
Artificial intelligence has been used to recreate the voices of deceased pilots, prompting the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to temporarily restrict access to its investigation documents.

What happened?
AI technology has recently been used to recreate the voices of deceased pilots by analysing spectrogram images of cockpit recordings. This action has prompted the American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to act. In response to the use of AI for voice recreation, the NTSB has temporarily blocked access to its investigation documentation system, known as the docket system.
Key facts
”People used AI on a spectrogram image of cockpit recordings to reconstruct them, forcing the NTSB to temporarily block access to its docket system.”
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ethical and legal challenges arising from advanced AI technology, particularly regarding the posthumous use of personal data and privacy. The NTSB's action indicates concern over how sensitive information from accident investigations is handled and used outside the agency's control. This could also lead to broader discussions on the management of digital legacies and consent.
Who is affected?
Pilots' relatives, AI developers, the aviation industry, and authorities responsible for data ethics and civil rights are affected. The decision also impacts public access to NTSB investigation materials, which could hinder transparency regarding accident investigations. Researchers and journalists who rely on this data are also affected.
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