From floating drones, underwater robots, predictive AI and an expansion in the Metaverse – Dubai Customs is embracing innovation as it steps up its mission to safeguard the UAE’s borders.

From the threat of smugglers to illegal trade, the Gulf city’s border control authority is using highly innovative technology to thwart criminal activity, while also making investments to streamline the shipment of goods coming in and out of the country.

Speaking to Al Arabiya English, Khalid al-Zarooni, head of innovation at Dubai Customs, said: “Innovation is a huge part of our mission at Dubai Customs to protect our society, to facilitate trade and to enhance the economy.”

“Innovation is one of our major values, along with of course, compliance and facilitation.”

A lot of the ideas, he said, has come from submissions made by employees within Dubai Customs.

“One of our strongest points in Dubai Customs is the culture that we’ve built here; the culture of innovation and the culture of motivation, where we always encourage our employees from all levels, from all nationalities to submit their improvement ideas, their developmental ideas, their innovative ideas.”

source: https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/03/17/Dubai-Customs-innovates-with-drones-AI-and-the-Metaverse-to-secure-UAE-s-borders