Sure, but the tool needs to get information from the communication systems, and if it's badly written maybe it could overload some system components.

That's just a scenario off the top of my head, it could be a lot of stuff. Plugging something new into an old, complicated system isn't risk free.

From the NYT article linked:

“Mr. Mullin said that new technology upgrades overloaded the existing, antiquated system, “overwhelming” the existing equipment.

“It’s going to continue to fail,” Mr. Duffy added. He also outlined many of the additional investments he believes the air travel system needs, like new air traffic control towers, infrastructure and communication networks.”

Of course they are all going to insist it has nothing to do with SMART, that would be incredibly damming, and threatening to ASI. But it’s pretty unfortunate timing no? What other “technology upgrades” have been recently applied to air traffic control/ communications?