Cloud Modernization Fuels AI, Screening Capabilities at CBP

Customs and Border Protection officials said cloud modernization is already delivering some wins by reducing baggage processing times for international travelers, accelerating software development and enabling new AI-powered border security tools.

“We are focused on completing our cloud migration, which offers us the opportunity and responsibility to optimize our systems. Our goal is clear: modernizing our cloud portfolio to respond faster, scale more efficiently and operate more cost effectively while delivering today’s mission outcomes,” said CBP Passenger Systems Program Directorate Executive Director Adina Pantella last week at an industry event.

Pantella said the agency’s cloud modernization efforts are creating the scalable infrastructure needed to support advanced screening technologies, artificial intelligence and biometric capabilities while improving operations.

One example is CBP’s International Remote Baggage Screening program, which allows officers to review checked-baggage X-ray images captured at foreign airports before an aircraft lands in the United States.

Introduced in 2025 through a partnership with commercial airlines operating daily flights between San Francisco and Sydney, Australia, the program uses cloud-based infrastructure to securely process and transmit high-resolution baggage images across international locations. Following the success of the initial rollout, CBP expanded the program to include flights from Singapore and South Korea into Atlanta.

“This enables passengers arriving from foreign airports to continue to their connecting flights without having to recheck their bags. [As IRBS scales, it] will save both officers and travelers an estimated 25 to 40 minutes per passenger and reduce the number of missed flight connections,” Pantella said.

AI for Border Security, Traveler Processing

Pantella said CBP is also using enhanced autonomous systems, predictive analytics and edge computing capabilities for border security. She added that the “sheer volume of data” is a challenge that can lead to an agent or officer overlooking critical information.

“We have the potential for unprecedented real-time domain awareness across the entire southern border. Artificial intelligence is the indispensable tool that we have to overcome our data overload,” Pantella said.

The White House’s 2027 budget proposal emphasizes border technology within its $63 billion request for the Department of Homeland Security.

CBP has long been eying tech like AI to improve the traveler experience, enhance operational efficiency and harden national security. In April, CBP expanded its Mobile Passport Control (MPC) mobile app to four pedestrian ports in Blaine, Washington, in preparation for the FIFA World Cup games.

The app allows travelers to submit travel documents and identity verification securely via smartphone or another mobile device and reduce wait times during passport inspections.

Pantella said AI-enabled biometrics help agents cross-check travelers’ travel documents with greater accuracy and reduce manual data entry from inspections.

“Our vision for primary inspection processing is to shift from administrative procedures to allowing officers to focus on purpose, intent, behavior and our travelers,” Pantella said. “We want to significantly reduce the amount of manual data entry and administrative processes, wherever technology allows.”

According to data from DHS’s AI Inventory, CBP has 83 AI use cases spanning administrative functions, law enforcement, cybersecurity and IT operations. Pantella highlighted several AI use cases from the agency that help officers at ports of entry and those in the Office of Information Technology (OIT), including using AI to accelerate OIT’s software application development.

“We are actively injecting AI into every aspect of software development, helping developers write, test and deploy code more efficiently and more securely. This AI-powered assistant has already accelerated coding velocity at CBP and enhanced code quality, saving an estimated 11,000 hours in just 30 days,” Pantella said.