US Customs and Border Protection Eyes AI for Enhanced Drug Detection

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wants to leverage artificial intelligence to boost scanning capabilities at the border for fentanyl and other drugs being smuggled into the country.

While X-ray machines, which are not AI-powered, will continue to be used for scanning, AI will assist customs officers in expediting the processes at border entry points into the country, the Verge reported.

During his State of the Union address last week, President Joe Biden called on Congress to approve a bipartisan immigration bill containing the most stringent border security reforms we've ever witnessed.

The proposed legislation would allocate funds for "100 additional high-tech drug detection machines, greatly enhancing the capacity to inspect and intercept vehicles smuggling fentanyl into the United States," among other provisions.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 70,000 Americans died of synthetic opioid overdoses in 2021.

Last year, CBP disclosed its contract award to Virginia-based Pangiam for the development of an AI tool designed to scan vehicles and cargo traversing the U.S.-Mexico border.

A frenzy among defense contractors and high-tech firms is underway, vying for a share of the significant funds that CBP is projected to allocate towards AI and biometric technology for border security in the coming years.

Additionally, CBP is also collaborating with another startup to devise technology aimed at tracing the precursor chemicals utilized in fentanyl production.