Border Force to expand AI use for screening freight at ports

Border Force is set to use AI to detect anomalies in freight x-rays at UK seaports, expanding their current AI deployment. Following successful trials, this technology is to be further developed in a controlled environment for future deployment. 

Automating the freight anomaly detection process will decrease the time screening takes, increase the volume of good processed and reduce errors, all whilst allowing officers to focus on critical strategic tasks. 

This solution was developed in conjunction with the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) which brings together industry experts and academics to solve security challenges in a collaborative space. 

Six ACE suppliers were involved in the project: Faculty, Leonardo, Polygeist, Roke, Symetrica and Zaizi. The group were originally tasked with indexing and standardising a repository of x-ray images to increase accessibility and facilitate AI algorithm development from the data.

From this, they explored using machine learning for anomaly detection and developed three use cases: vector integrity, pattern recognition and high-density material detection. Each of these insights shows strong future operational potential. 

A recent commission trialled the AI detection system and found it would be feasible to integrate it into Border Force activities, leading to a request for further development. A new business case for wider AI implementation across Border Force has been founded.

Border Force UK Deputy Director, Chino Nwachukwu is thrilled with the development, saying "I’m still buzzing from the high on which I ended last week, having spent the last few months working with some of the best brains in Britain to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques in Border Security.”