[stevage]

>Instead of the controller verbally telling the pilot where to go, it seems feasible that the controller (or some coordinating software) could just digitally tell the plane where to go.

An intermediate step would at least be transmitting those instructions digitally and showing it on a map that the pilot can follow. There have been a number of incidents where pilots misunderstood where they were, and incorrectly followed instructions.

[kristian1109]

A lot of glass panels these days will do this in the PFD. You get your clearance via datalink from ATC, it loads everything right up, and you just keep the plane in the box or turn the autopilot on once you're in the air.

Of course, this still keeps the pilot in the loop and ideally they will notice if something seems weird.