DO-178 Compliance Considerations for Artificial Intelligent Software

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in safety-critical aerospace systems has introduced new challenges in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. DO-178C, the de facto standard for software development in the aerospace industry, provides guidelines for the development of safety-critical software. However, its applicability to AI software is not straightforward. This paper discusses the DO-178C compliance considerations for AI software, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI. We examine the following key aspects: 1) Software Requirements, the need for clear, concise, and unambiguous requirements for AI software, and how to ensure that these requirements are properly validated and verified; 2) Software Design, the implications of AI software design on DO-178C compliance, including the use of machine learning algorithms, neural networks, and training data; 3) Software Verification, the use of testing, validation, and formal methods to ensure that the software meets its requirements; and 4) Software Configuration Management, the importance of software configuration management in ensuring the integrity and traceability of AI software, and how to implement these practices in a DO-178C compliant manner. DO-178C compliance is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of AI software in safety-critical aerospace systems. By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI, developers can ensure that their software meets the requirements of DO-178C, and that it is safe, reliable, and effective.