Bonaire immigration conference examines AI, drones and cooperation

Representatives from the Caribbean Netherlands immigration chain met on Bonaire on Friday 23 October to discuss cooperation, work processes and the responsible use of technology. Director-General of the Migration Chain Esther Pijs and Island Governor John Soliano were among the speakers.

The conference examined possible uses of artificial intelligence, drones, algorithms and biometric identification, according to the Repatriation and Departure Service, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, IND CN and the Migration Policy Department of the Ministry of Justice and Security, which organised the meeting.

Participants also reviewed the immigration chain’s development since its launch on 10 October 2010 and discussed actions from earlier meetings. Jonathan Johnson, former Island Governor of Saba, Statistics Netherlands and the Ministry of Justice and Security contributed to the discussions.

Breakout sessions covered new ways of working and integrated partnerships, the use of external private parties, and new technologies. Participants also discussed involving civil-society organisations or private service providers in specific work processes.