China’s air force uses AI biometric screening for pilot selection — Here’s what It means

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has introduced artificial intelligence-powered biometric tests to screen potential pilots. This initiative, according to reports, aims to improve selection accuracy and facilitate long-term health assessments.

On Wednesday, a report by the South China Morning Post cited China’s state-run broadcaster CCTV, which announced that the PLAAF has incorporated artificial intelligence to analyse biological signals, enabling the detection of potential health risks that might be overlooked by human examiners.

The system is also designed to predict long-term human-machine adaptability, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates progress through the selection process.

AI’s role in pilot selection

More than 100 rigorous medical and psychological tests form the final stage of pilot recruitment, assessing a candidate’s physical health, mental resilience, and ability to operate advanced aircraft, according to the SCMP report.

Zhang Yishuang, an expert in PLAAF recruitment, told SCMP that AI has become a key component in the selection process. The AI system analyses physical data, while human experts assess personality traits—creating what is termed a "dual-engine" selection model, where technology and human judgement work together.

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The integration of AI is critical, as modern fighter pilots face extreme physical and cognitive demands.

Advanced fighter aircraft operate at high speeds with increased manoeuvrability, exposing pilots to g-forces up to nine times their body weight—nearly double the highest-rated roller coaster in the world. Navigating, managing weapon systems, and maintaining situational awareness in high-pressure combat scenarios require exceptional multitasking abilities.

New technologies in the selection process

The PLAAF’s pilot selection policy for 2025 now incorporates state-of-the-art AI and biometric technologies to enhance precision and scientific accuracy.

These include:

• · Contactless three-dimensional body measurements to assess physique suitability for combat aviation.
• · ECG heart rate monitoring to detect underlying health conditions.

AI in international military recruitment

China is not alone in adopting AI for military recruitment. The British Army implemented AI in 2023 to analyse medical histories, reducing candidate assessment time by 25 per cent.

Similarly, the US Army has deployed AI tools such as ‘Recruit 360’, which processes 30 million applicant profiles using 1,700 predictive variables to identify candidates most likely to serve.

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While AI enhances efficiency, concerns remain over potential biases and unintended consequences. The US Department of Defense has conducted "red teaming" exercises, identifying over 800 potential vulnerabilities in AI assessments related to military applications. Experts stress the importance of human oversight in AI-driven recruitment to ensure fairness and reliability.

FAQs

1. How is China using AI in pilot selection?
The PLAAF is incorporating AI to analyse biometric data, assess long-term health risks and predict human-machine adaptability.


2. Why is AI important in military recruitment?
AI streamlines the assessment process by automating health evaluations and candidate selection, improving both efficiency and accuracy.