Brian Holmes on Thu, 14 Mar 2019 22:13:18 +0100 (CET)


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Re: <nettime> rage against the machine


On Thu, Mar 14, 2019 at 11:43 AM Morlock Elloi <morlockelloi@gmail.com> wrote:

It looks like some cretin in Boeing that drank too much of AI Kool Aid
(probably a middle manager) decided to install trained logic circuit
that was supposed to make new aircraft behave (to pilots) like the older
one. As its operation was far too complicated (ie. even Boeing didn't
quite understand it) they decided not to inform pilots about it, as it
could disturb the poor things with too much information.

One part of the unknown operation appears to be the insistence of ML
black box on crashing the airplane during ascent. As it had full control
of the trim surfaces there was nothing pilots could do (I guess using
fire axe to kill the circuit would work, if pilots knew where the damn
thing was.)
 
I agree there is unwarranted trust in artificial intelligence. But is that relevant here? Morlock's post neither identifies what systems are at stake, nor correctly represents the usage situation. It's just inflammatory rhetoric.

Any look at the press reveals that two complaints about the Max 8 aircraft were logged anonymously on a NASA database. Pilots reported having to exit from an automatic trim system in order to stop a nose dive after takeoff. They did in fact complain that they had not been properly informed about the operation of the trim system, which is not halted in the usual way (by simply pulling on the control yoke). However, they were definitely able to return to manual control, and they did not report using a fire axe to do it. Instead there are dedicated cutoff switches.

The automatic function is called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). Its sole purpose is to correct for an upward pitching movement during takeoff, brought on by the decision to gain fuel efficiency by using larger engines. At stake is a feedback loop triggered by information from Angle of Attack sensors - nothing that could reasonably be described as AI. The MCAS is a bad patch on a badly designed plane. In addition to the failure to inform pilots about its operation, the sensors themselves appear to have malfunctioned during the Lion Air crash in Indonesia.

You can find real information on the situation here: https://theaircurrent.com/tag/maneuvering-characteristics-augmentation-system

There is much to critique in the operations of Boeing and of the FAA. But it's not about AI taking full control. Punditry based on mere imaginings is just hot air.

Brian






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