Smiths Detection and Microsoft Working Together to Combat Wildlife Trafficking

(26 Nov 2021)  Smiths Detection has collaborated with Microsoft and London Heathrow Airport in the development of a multispecies AI model designed to uncover illegally trafficked wildlife concealed in baggage and air cargo.

Initial testing of the algorithm which took place at Heathrow has shown a success rate of over 70% in identifying trafficked animals, including ivory.

As part of Project SEEKER, an extensive library of X-ray images taken from Smiths Detection’s CTX 9800 baggage scanners at Heathrow were used to train the Microsoft AI for Good model.

Smiths Detection and Microsoft are using AI to help combat wildlife trafficking

The machines can screen up to 250,000 bags a day, generating large amounts of data for inspection.

Globally, illegal wildlife trafficking is among the five most lucrative global crimes and is often run by highly organised criminal networks. Combatting wildlife trafficking could therefore cut off revenue streams to organised crime and help stop animal poaching.

“SEEKER is testament to the impact we can make when we work collaboratively across the private and public sector. This tool can be deployed with existing screening and security infrastructure and can empower those working on the frontline of illegal wildlife trafficking to better detect, seize and investigate trafficked items and the criminal network behind them,” said Daniel Haines, Data and Artificial Intelligence Solution Specialist at Microsoft. “Following this successful trial, we’re calling for major transport hubs including airports to deploy the technology and put the model to work on regional illegal wildlife trafficked priorities along with NGOs and law enforcement agencies to share intelligence data. Together, we can stop illegal wildlife trafficking in its tracks.”