The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice (eu-LISA) has released its latest report, detailing insights from its 10th annual Industry Roundtable held in November in Budapest.
A central focus of the discussions was the transformative role of biometrics and digital ID in modernizing governance and enhancing border management within the EU. The report highlights advancements in biometric technologies, including facial recognition and AI-driven systems, that are increasingly deployed for seamless border crossings, fraud detection, and identity verification.
Key innovations include remote pre-onboarding systems for travelers, such as those used by Eurostar, enabling passengers to complete facial and fingerprint recognition checks from home. These solutions streamline travel and enhance security while ensuring compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. Additionally, eu-LISA underscored its commitment to developing AI-resistant biometric verification tools to address operational challenges, such as morphing attacks, and ensure secure processing in government-controlled environments.
Digital ID systems were also a major topic of discussion, with a focus on their integration into existing EU border and security infrastructures. The roundtable explored how AI-powered digital ID tools are being leveraged for applications ranging from asylum processing to fraud prevention. Efforts to digitize travel credentials, enabling passengers to use smartphones as secure tokens, are expected to reduce bottlenecks at borders and simplify administrative workflows.
The report also sheds light on the broader context of AI governance, particularly the role of the EU AI Act in fostering responsible innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights. High-risk AI systems, such as those used in law enforcement and migration, are required to meet stringent safety, transparency, and oversight standards. Speakers emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration to align technological capabilities with regulatory frameworks, ensuring trust and accountability in AI-driven solutions.
Another key theme was the potential of generative AI in enhancing operational efficiency. Practical examples demonstrated AI’s ability to automate multilingual communication, streamline workflows, and assist in policy-making. However, concerns about hallucinations, biases, and regulatory compliance remain significant challenges. The roundtable emphasized the importance of ethical deployment and robust safeguards to maximize the benefits of these technologies while mitigating risks.
Collaboration and capacity-building were recurring themes throughout the event. Participants highlighted initiatives such as the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security and Horizon Europe-funded projects as pivotal in fostering knowledge sharing and advancing AI applications in justice and home affairs. Training programs, particularly for biometric officers and judicial staff, were emphasized as critical for building expertise and ensuring the effective integration of AI tools.
The report concludes with recommendations for enhancing data governance, addressing infrastructure gaps, and establishing interdisciplinary partnerships to tackle shared challenges. It also outlines strategic directions for the future, including the integration of explainable AI tools, iterative development models, and adaptive governance frameworks.
The next eu-LISA Industry Roundtable is scheduled for June 2025 in Poland, promising to build on the progress made in Budapest and continue the dialogue on leveraging AI to meet the evolving needs of the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs sector.
Source: eu-LISA
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January 16, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala
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