Stakeholder perception on challenges of artificial Intelligence implementation in Indian aviation industry: a focus group study

Artificial intelligence (AI) is regarded as an emerging and new face of modern technology or science. Although it has existed for decades, its presence and exigency have been realised recently, especially due to COVID-19. Global economies are experiencing and witnessing the Industrial Revolution 4.0. It becomes predominant for the aviation industry to take automation and AI and robotics one step ahead to develop an intelligent industry. The study is an attempt to understand the status of the Indian airport sector to identify where the industry is lacking in terms of technology, infrastructure, and standards and recommended practices (SARPs). This will further help to identify best practices that will improve AI implementation in the Indian airport sector. The experts are invited to understand their perception of AI and the challenges in implementing AI in the aviation industry post-COVID-19 pandemic with the help of a focus group discussion. The major themes are identified from the discussion, namely: the agility of the organisation, stakeholders' confidence, regulatory challenges, organisation capability. Hence, the study has some critical managerial implications of the identified factors.