RealEye has developed two AI-driven platforms, Masad and Fortress, that offer real-time screening and monitoring of individuals entering a country, whether legally or otherwise, particularly those with a history of illegal or suspicious activities. These tools utilize criminal records, digital footprints from social media, and the dark web to assess potential security risks.
During a demonstration, Cohen accesses the profile of a man named Yosef and quickly identifies concerning activities, such as financial support for groups like Hamas. This highlights the effectiveness of the system in flagging potential threats.
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term as US president, he emphasizes a strong stance on immigration, promising a significant deportation operation. Border Patrol agents at the US-Mexico border face challenges due to increased illegal arrivals and staffing shortages.
Trump’s initiatives to secure the Southern border range from setting up a hotline for reporting undocumented migrants to constructing a large detention center. Plans for a border wall and enhanced border security measures indicate a firm approach to immigration policy.
RealEye, an Israeli startup led by CEO Kevin Cohen, leverages AI technology to enhance border security and prevent criminal elements from entering the country. The company’s innovative solutions aim to verify the identity and background of individuals crossing international borders.
In addition to physical barriers, AI tools like those offered by RealEye are expected to play a crucial role in border security and immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security has allocated funds for AI initiatives, recognizing the potential of this technology in transforming border control efforts.
Amidst these developments, other AI companies like Bavovna AI, a Ukrainian startup, are also gearing up for a busy year in the field of artificial intelligence.
Autonomous, AI-powered drones have been developed by Bavovna, who have a proven track record in deploying drones in conflict zones like Ukraine’s war with Russia. While drones have been utilized along the US border since 2005, they have faced increasing interference from Mexican cartels using GPS jammers. Bavovna’s drones, however, have the capability to navigate complex terrains without relying on GPS or visual odometry, enabling them to avoid detection.
Artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in border security strategies, with companies such as RealEye incorporating AI technologies. Leaders in AI, like Sam Altman from OpenAI, have significantly contributed to the Trump administration’s initiatives. Bavovna’s co-founder and director, Pramax Prasolov, remains discreet about their ties with the administration but has mentioned exploring opportunities to enhance border security operations.
During a special demo flight test hosted by Prasolov in Tampa, Florida, high-ranking officials from the Department of Defense and the US Air Force were in attendance. Prasolov emphasizes that these UAVs are not just for surveillance but are essential for maintaining operational superiority in challenging environments. The potential use of Ghost Robotics’ robotic dogs, currently in operation at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, along the Southern Border is being considered.
AI technologies have been a focal point of border security discussions during Biden’s presidency, with a push for “smart border” solutions like virtual towers as an alternative to physical barriers. Legislation like the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act has been passed to encourage the exploration of AI, machine learning, and nanotechnologies in border security programs.
Under the Trump administration, there is a clear intent to expand the use of AI surveillance systems along the border. Plans are already underway to enhance existing AI capabilities, with proposed investments in upgrading and maintaining surveillance towers. The introduction of robodogs by Ghost Robotics, developed for navigating challenging terrains, is being tested by the DHS and has garnered interest from Trump, with one robodog already deployed at Mar-a-Lago for security patrol. Trump’s vision includes building both a physical and digital wall to strengthen control over the Southern Border.
In Texas, there have been concerns raised about the potential weaponization of dogs, particularly with the introduction of models equipped with sniper rifles. Despite public backlash faced by a tech startup in 2021 for manufacturing drones with tasers, Ghost Robotics CEO Gavin Kenneally assured a House Oversight Committee in 2023 that their technology would only be used for patrolling and not violence. Some of the new AI technologies being introduced are complex but not dystopian. For example, RealEye’s vetting system surpasses existing DHS strategies by focusing on biometric indexing. Department of Homeland Security Chief Alejandro Mayorkas views AI as a transformative technology but some, like Cohen, believe it is not sufficient for intercepting bad actors exploiting the migration system to enter the US illegally. Cohen’s firm has partnered with intelligence agencies in various countries to fill this gap by tracking individuals’ digital presence before they enter the country. Machine-learning technologies can help border patrol agents identify patterns and anomalies that might be missed due to staffing crunches and overwhelming migrant surges.
However, there are concerns about the potential biases and misuse of AI in border security. While AI has the potential to enhance border security operations, misuse could lead to dangerous outcomes such as erosion of civil liberties, privacy violations, and systemic bias. The aggressive expansion of AI in border security under previous administrations could turn these tools into mechanisms for mass surveillance and control. Marina Shepelsky, an immigration attorney, worries that AI vetting could discriminate against individuals based on their political views or religious beliefs. The US Customs and Border Protection agency plans to develop a network of surveillance towers along the Southern Border in the coming years.
Concerns about AI being abused are dismissed by Cohen. He asserts, “The ‘special interest aliens’ we’re going after are technically felons. We’re not targeting individuals that are just trying to become breadwinners for their family or make a better life.” For Cohen, cracking down on immigrants with criminal intent hits close to home. During his teenage years, his family briefly resided next to Mohammed Atta in Florida, who later emerged as a key figure in the September 11 attacks. Reflecting on this proximity to infamy, Cohen shares, “I’ve never stopped thinking about it. That’s why we’re doing this, to keep guys like him from slipping through the cracks and entering the country. We need to outsmart them and devise innovative methods to ensure the identity of everyone crossing the border is legitimate.”
