Information technology and e-commerce
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Trading with intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, work, produce and trade. As it further develops, AI is expected to unlock unprecedented economic and societal opportunities. However, it is also a source of significant risks and challenges. This report examines the intersection of AI and international trade. It discusses how AI may shape the future of international trade by reducing trade costs, improving productivity and expanding economies' comparative advantages. The report reviews some key trade policy considerations, in particular the urgent need to address the growing AI divide between economies and between large and small firms, as well as data governance and intellectual property issues. It examines how to guarantee the trustworthiness of AI without hindering trade. The report also provides an overview of domestic, regional and international government initiatives to promote and regulate AI, and highlights the resulting risk of regulatory fragmentation. Finally, the report discusses the critical role of the WTO in facilitating AI-related trade, ensuring trustworthy AI and addressing emerging trade tensions, noting that the rapid evolution of AI is prompting questions about the implications of AI for international trade rules.
Foreword
I am delighted to present the World Trade Organization Secretariat’s first comprehensive report on artificial intelligence (AI) and international trade. This report marks a milestone in our efforts to understand the impacts AI is having, and will continue to have, on global trade. As AI continues to evolve and transform the ways we work, live and do business, the global trade community must recognize these impacts and respond to maximize the gains for people, businesses and economies, and minimize potential risks.
WTO/WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies
So-called disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, have the potential to transform border management and the conduct of international trade. This publication explores how these advanced technologies can be used to improve the efficiency of Customs processes and to ease the flow of goods across borders.
Holistic use of technologies for Smart Customs of the future
2021 has highlighted the critical role that Customs play in enabling global trade. To make the global supply chains of the future more efficient, Smart Customs have to minimize Customs clearance time and costs, while intelligently managing inbound and outbound goods and vehicles. Disruptive technologies such as IoT devices are enabling autonomous equipment to drive effective monitoring of cargo and tracking of journeys.
Foreword by the WTO Director General
We live in a time of rapid technological change that has the possibility of profoundly altering the conduct of international trade. For many people keeping up to date with the latest technology and fully understanding its implications can be daunting. This report will help illuminate the so-called “disruptive technologies” that are most relevant to border management, as well as assist governments to better understand the challenges and benefits of their use by Customs.
Recommendations
This section provides a set of recommendations regarding the introduction and scaling up of technologies by Customs. These recommendations were provided by Customs, the private sector and academia in discussions held on different occasions in the last four years, including at the October 2017 Permanent Technical Committee, the annual dialogue held between the Private Sector Consultative Group and the Policy Commission in June 2018, the WCO technology conferences and regional workshops on disruptive technologies held in 2021 and 2022, the WTO 2018 research workshop and the 2019 and 2021 Global Trade and Blockchain Forums.
Acknowledgements
The updated Study Report on Disruptive Technologies (2022) is the result of the collective effort of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariats working closely with the Member Customs administrations, private sector representatives and other stakeholders. The Report was prepared by Milena Budimirovic, Özlem Soysanlı, Vyara Filipova and Lesego Mmolai from the WCO and Emmanuelle Ganne and Sheri Rosenow from the WTO. Research assistance was provided by Zakaria Imessaoudene from the WTO.
Background
Based on the proposal submitted by the WCO Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) delegates, the Future of Customs topic was launched at the 207th/208th Sessions of the PTC in March 2015. This came as a result of discussions on the role of the PTC, where it was agreed that the Committee would take a more active role in discussing strategic matters and future-oriented topics.
Introduction: “disruptive…” or (just) “emerging” technologies?
When we talk about “disruptive technologies”, what exactly do we mean? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a disruptive technology is a new technology that completely changes the way things are done. Even though we cannot be certain which technologies will accomplish this in the future, the public has over the past years broadly accepted “disruptive technologies” as a term which refers to blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, drones, 3D printing and other cutting-edge technologies, which are the subject of this Study Report.