Advances in Border Management: Digitalisation trends and emerging technologies

Technological advancements are reshaping border management across the EU and beyond. Policymakers must respond quickly to evolving circumstances, including political and economic instability, climate change-induced natural disasters, and increased socio-political tensions. Governments increasingly deploy novel technologies and methods such as AI, biometric identification, and predictive analytics to enhance security and streamline border control processes. While these innovations may offer significant benefits, they also raise concerns about transparency, data protection, and the safeguarding of fundamental rights. In this context, this Working Paper tries to answer the following questions: How have technological developments transformed border management and what may the future look like? How is AI being leveraged for enhanced surveillance, predictive analytics, and risk assessment? What are the challenges that emerge from using these technologies, and how can policymakers address them while maintaining a balance between security imperatives and fundamental rights?

Drawing on expert discussions ICMPD has convened or participated in across international and regional fora, this paper examines the current state-of-the-art in border management technologies, assessing both their operational benefits and the risks they pose. It provides an overview of the latest advancements and trends in this regard, as related to its role in contemporary border management, with a specific focus on their application within the EU.

These key developments in border management technologies are analysed according to their functionality, including their capabilities and applications. In some cases, these areas overlap, both in terms of legal bases and the multi-functionality of specific tools, yet the analysis aims to highlight their specific roles in addressing operational needs and challenges. These are: border surveillance and pre-screening; risk analysis, nowcasting, early warning, and forecasting; database management and interoperability; and process facilitation.

Beyond these technological insights, this report also aims to discuss the implications for policymakers, and the strategies, opportunities, and challenges that they encounter in this domain. In considering border management strategies and reform with a view to new tools, it is important to factor in likely operational challenges as well, such as insufficient physical, technical and financial resources, or specific policy or regulatory needs.

Lastly, the report concludes with four major takeaways and recommendations. Firstly, the importance of capacity building and training to bridge the expertise gap in AI and to equip practitioners with the necessary skills to implement and operate new technologies in line with legal frameworks. Secondly, one of the strongest key takeaways is the urgent need for clear ethical and legal guidance, based on already existing frameworks, as modern border management requires a solid foundation on international ethical and legal principles. Thirdly, international collaboration and knowledge sharing play a critical role in ensuring responsible implementation of new technologies, and to achieving standardisation of migration data systems and interoperability aims. Lastly, in this area, technological integration and innovation should proceed with caution, making sure interventions are sustainable, updated, reliable and accurate through maintenance and rigorous testing. Deploying these technologies without addressing the institutional, legal, and operational dimensions of border management risks creating fragmented and ineffective systems. As technologies continue to develop, they require a focus on building systems that integrate effectiveness with fairness and transparency, ensuring that all stakeholders are considered in their deployment and use.