Boeing invents AI Virtual Flight Attendant
This page is translated from the original post "Boeing invente l’hôtesse virtuelle à intelligence artificielle" in French.
- 10/09/2025 9:49
Boeing is developing an artificial intelligence system capable of transcribing announcements in the cabin in real-time.
Imagine boarding a Boeing and seeing crew announcements instantly appear on a screen, as if a virtual flight attendant were speaking to you… but in text. The goal is simple: to make the journey more inclusive for all passengers, especially for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Meals served, safety instructions, information about turbulence, or gate changes… all important moments that everyone should be able to follow, even if they cannot hear.
For Boeing, technology is not just a gadget. “The real issue wasn’t the technology, it was access and dignity,” explains Bill Harkness, head of accessibility engineering and himself deaf. “We wanted to build a system that doesn’t assume one way of listening is sufficient for everyone.”
A Hostile Environment
Technically, it’s not that simple. Airplane cabins are noisy, with the engine, overlapping announcements, and sometimes limited internet connectivity. Engineers at Boeing’s center in Korea have created a system that can operate offline and display subtitles almost instantly, in two-second increments. The artificial intelligence selects which information is important and highlights it, somewhat like a virtual flight attendant attentive to each passenger.
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This project was developed with the direct participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, ensuring that the tool truly meets their needs. But the benefits are not limited to this audience: who has never struggled to hear announcements over the noise of the engine or during in-flight service?
In short, Boeing is transforming the cabin into a space where everyone can be informed, as if every plane welcomed an artificial intelligence flight attendant ready to repeat important information for all. With this innovation, the brand shows that accessibility is not just an idea but a real enhancement of the travel experience for everyone.
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