In an attempt to ensure extreme precision in the pilot recruitment process, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has incorporated highly advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) in the selection process.
AI tools are already part of military recruitment processes in countries like the US and the UK.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), the final phase of the selection consists of medical and psychological evaluations, designed to offer a comprehensive prediction and assessment of a candidate's long-term health and their ability to adapt to human-machine interactions.
Modem fighter jets, equipped with advanced weapon systems, operate at high speeds and with extreme manoeuvrability, causing great physical stress and cognitive overload to pilots. Apart from the physical strain, there is also the pressure to manage complex systems, including weapons and communication systems, while maintaining heightened situational awareness. All these necessitate that the pilots chosen are up for highly stressful job. AI-enabled evaluation ensures that only those who are up for the job get selected.
The pilot selection process of 2025 has incorporated advanced technologies and equipment, such as contract-free 3D body morphology measurement, AI-assisted interview decision-making systems and wearable dynamic electrocardiogram monitoring.
“AI now plays a crucial role in interpreting candidates’ biological signals, revealing underlying health risks that might not be immediately apparent to human evaluators,” the CCTV report said.
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The report said the AI systems act as a precise evaluator, data analyst and bridge for human-machine collaboration by interpreting the physical signals, bringing in a “data intelligence plus human insight” element to the entire selection process.
This "enables a more accurate, comprehensive approach to selecting future pilots, creating a ‘dual-engine’ selection model that blends data intelligence with personal insight," Zhang Yishuang, an expert on PLA Air Force recruitment, has been quoted as saying by CCTV.
“Under the guidance of AI, the selected candidates are expected to become more capable pilots,” Global Times quoted Chinese military analyst Song Zhongping as saying.
