Introduction
As an optimist and manager, I recognize the transformative potential of new technologies for customs and international trade. However, as a good manager, I know that in order to achieve realistic goals, it is necessary to consider all variables – both optimistic and pessimistic. These considerations are drawn from the document produced by the WCO entitled “WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition 2024, Draft Programme, 12 – 14 November 2024, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Digital Borders: Customs Embrace Innovation with Traditional and New Partners”. In this context, I make brief considerations on the 10 panels that will be held at the event. As we approach the World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference 2024, it is imperative to address in a balanced way the challenges and opportunities that these innovations bring, ensuring that the future of customs is built in a responsible and sustainable way.
1. Digital transformation in customs: reflection on technological dependence
One of the central issues that deserves attention is the digital transformation in customs, driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. Although these innovations promise greater efficiency and transparency, it is crucial to reflect on the growing dependence on technological systems and the implications of this for the robustness of operations. Questioning vulnerability to technological failures and assessing the need to maintain human supervision in critical processes are discussions that cannot be postponed.
2. Sustainability in the maritime sector: the paradox of 'Green Customs'
The quest for sustainable practices in global trade, reflected in the concept of 'Green Customs', highlights an important paradox: how to reconcile the growth of international trade with the need to reduce carbon emissions? The conference offers a valuable opportunity to discuss how innovative technologies can be implemented in ways that truly contribute to sustainability, without compromising economic progress. The need for global policies that underpin these practices is also an issue that needs to be addressed.
3. Impact of automation and IoT on employment: challenges and solutions
The introduction of automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) in land transport brings with it promises of efficiency, but also the risk of large-scale unemployment. It is timely to address the social implications of these innovations and discuss solutions to mitigate the negative impact on the traditional workforce. Professional retraining and the creation of new job opportunities must be an integral part of these discussions, ensuring that the technological transition is inclusive.
4. AI and blockchain in air transport: balancing security and privacy
The integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain into air transport is another topic that requires careful analysis, especially when it comes to balancing security and privacy. The ethical questions that arise with heightened surveillance are complex and require in-depth debate. Debating the limits of technology in the name of security and ensuring that individual rights are respected are points that urgently need to be addressed.
5. Regulation of electronic commerce: adapting to new business models
E-commerce is redefining global trade, bringing with it regulatory challenges that have yet to be fully addressed. Rapidly evolving business models create regulatory gaps that can be exploited unless Customs adapts quickly. Discussing how Customs can be more proactive in regulating, rather than simply reacting to changes, is essential to ensuring that new technologies and trade practices are regulated fairly and effectively.
6. Customs Security: Preparing for Emerging Digital Threats
As security and cybersecurity technologies advance, there is a need to re-evaluate border protection strategies in a digital world. It is timely to discuss not only the effectiveness of current technologies, but also how Customs is preparing for threats that have not yet been foreseen. Customs security must be treated as a holistic strategy, integrating technology, training, and rapid incident responses.
7. Complexity of technological processes: the trap of 'invisible bureaucracy'
The implementation of new technologies in customs, intended to simplify processes, can paradoxically introduce “invisible bureaucracy”. There is a need to address how to ensure that technology actually reduces complexity, rather than replacing it with a new layer of difficulty. Discussing ways to prevent automated systems from creating new barriers is a topic that deserves attention.
8. Ethics and AI at the frontiers: need for an urgent debate
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in customs operations raises ethical questions that have not yet been fully explored. Privacy, transparency and accountability are topics that need to be seriously discussed. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure that the adoption of AI in customs is done in an ethical and responsible manner, considering societal and individual impacts.
9. Dehumanization of customs services: the role of chatbots and analysis of data
While data analytics and the use of chatbots can increase efficiency in customs operations, there is also a risk of dehumanising services. It is important to discuss how these technologies can be integrated without compromising the human element essential for effective care. Ensuring that technology complements, rather than replaces, human contact is a challenge that needs to be addressed.
10. Balanced vision for the future of customs in the digital age
Finally, it is worth considering that the future of customs cannot depend solely on the adoption of new technologies. A balanced approach, which considers the ethical and social implications of innovations, is essential to building customs that are efficient, fair and inclusive. The 2024 WCO Technology Conference should serve as a forum to interrogate and assess these impacts, ensuring that technological progress is accompanied by critical reflection on its effects on global trade.
Conclusion
The WCO Technology Conference 2024 offers a unique platform to address critical issues that will impact the future of customs and international trade. Addressing these issues in the necessary depth is essential to ensure that technological innovations are implemented in an ethical, sustainable and inclusive manner, shaping a future in which customs play a central role in global development. The SAFE Framework, with its three key actors (government, private sector and international organisations) provides the necessary structure for a modern customs, based on efficient collection, trade facilitation and security. This essential tripod ensures that the continuous dialogue between these actors builds a customs that balances the interests of security, economy and sustainability.
Customs Broker, with a degree in Economics and a Master in Business Administration in Business Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). Co-founder of EBIMEX Comércio Exterior and Director of the Union of Customs Brokers of São Paulo (SINDASP), Brazil. He works as an Advisor on Marketing and Institutional Communication at the International Association of Professional Customs Agents (ASAPRA) and is a member of the Brazilian Chamber of Pharmaceutical Products (CBFARMA) of the CNC. He holds certifications in Artificial Intelligence from the OAS (Organization of American States) and in Marketing and Communication from the International Business Management Institute (IBMI), Germany.
