How AI and IoT will bring trade tech to the cutting edge

By DXC Technology

DXC Technology shares how next-gen tech can help governments innovate with border control.

Nations’ borders have tightened, but it’s never been more important to ensure trade continues. Vaccines and crucial medical resources are being shipped all around the world, and checkpoints need to make sure this is processed quickly to get help to those who most need it.

Tech can help to speed up and secure this process. Border security needs to become more secure and fluid for governments to gain an upper hand in the battle against the virus.

DXC Technology shares more on the technological innovations that can simplify this process.

Centralising data with IoT


When it comes to maximising efficiency and identifying chokepoints, data analysis is key. Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of sensors and cameras that can gather data in real time. This streamlines processing at borders in a few ways.

IoT sensors can conduct record tracking which is useful to evaluate the efficiency of the checkpoint. These include metrics such as the total time a person spent at each counter. AI can tap this data pool to maximise its analytical capabilities. Border agencies can identify potential problems with the help of machine learning.

Data analysis and forecast models also allow border agencies to learn from past mistakes and identify areas of improvement. With the data collected, IoT can simulate a real-time “digital twin” of the border checkpoint on a dashboard. Security agents will be able to monitor the presented data to pinpoint weaknesses and respond swiftly to incidents.

Using AI to identify suspicious behaviour


Border control staff are continuously tested while safeguarding their countries. Many variables, such as a variety of vehicle types, always-changing volume of traffic and the ingenuity of criminals work to make the job of border staff an onerous one.

AI can help to reduce our reliance on manual checks that are prone to the workarounds of smugglers. AI-assisted facial or iris scans add an extra line of defense which can quickly identify suspicious activity and alert the relevant teams.

Predictive analysis using AI and machine learning will also be able to detect anomalous patterns based on past records. AI will be able to pick out fraudulent paperwork or identify tampered vehicles missed by officers. This may be able to reduce possible corruption by reducing human error involved.

Modelling problems


DXC Technology worked with one of the busiest checkpoints in Asia to create digital simulations of their checkpoint facilities. Officials could adjust variables such as weather conditions, road closures and vehicle types to better understand how differing conditions can affect operations.

This simulation technology makes use of three approaches. Firstly, Monte Carlo simulations, a model which estimates the probabilities of all possible outcomes for a particular event.

Secondly, spatial analysis is able to account for physical changes, such as an addition of a ramp or widened roads. Lastly, the model can determine how rain, fog or even agricultural fires affect the flow of operations.

Simplifying paperwork


As regions enter a period of stricter border controls amidst the pandemic, processing time can drastically increase. Border lines at Tijuana, Mexico stretched for ten-hour queues as the US immigration authorities tightened inspection protocols in August 2020.

The economic impacts can be staggering. A single year’s worth of delays at the San Diego and Tijuana border was reported to cost the region up to US$3.4 billion in lost economic output and 88 thousand jobs.

Integrating automated systems will be key to cutting down processing time at busy checkpoints.

Checkpoints will simultaneously verify health and personal identities, which will be important as Covid-19 moves to become a long-term issue, The Straits Times reports. Vaccination records or Covid-19 test results can be stored on digital health passports, allowing checkpoint authorities to quickly evaluate the risk of travellers carrying the virus.

Border control will benefit greatly from minimising human checking. With the help of AI, security agencies will be able to perform their duties more accurately and efficiently. Amidst the global pandemic, a greater reliance on automation will help to protect citizens and open up economies faster.