THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is aggressively pursuing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to combat corruption and minimize human intervention in cargo inspections.
While the agency has already digitized 97% of its internal processes, according to BOC Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson Vincent Phillip Maronilla in an interview on At The Forefront (Bilyonaryo News Channel), a crucial upgrade to its customs processing system is currently delayed due to a legal challenge.
This legal hurdle stems from an injunction related to a World Bank-backed modernization project, effectively halting the rollout of a new centralized system. The case, involving a dispute with a losing bidder, is now awaiting a Supreme Court ruling. Maronilla expressed hope for a favorable decision to allow the BOC to proceed with full automation.
Despite this setback, the BOC is actively preparing its scanners for AI integration. These scanners already possess basic AI capabilities, capable of recognizing and flagging previously seized contraband. This automated detection system aims to significantly reduce manual inspections, a major vulnerability for corruption.
The agency’s vision is a fully digitized customs process where AI, rather than human agents, determines which shipments require further scrutiny, thereby minimizing opportunities for bribery and other corrupt practices.
While awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision, the BOC is concentrating its efforts on ensuring that scanners nationwide are ready for a swift transition to machine-driven inspections once the legal roadblock is cleared.
