"We’re not trying to replace pilots, we’re trying to augment them, give them an extra tool,”
They're trying to replace pilots --- defined as a live person in the cockpit.
They have no choice. If they don't do it, the Chinese will.
Human pilots are physically fragile and expensive and represent the single biggest impediment to the performance of an aircraft.
The single biggest advantage of a human pilot --- decision making. Which can be done remotely with a properly designed system.
Taking the pilot out of the cockpit will allow planes to be cheaper, smaller, faster, more agile, more stealthy ... and more lethal.