Britain’s shadowy border by CNN

The UK government has invested in high-tech surveillance for the English Channel. But as the number of small boats arriving on UK shores continues to rise, it’s not clear whether this expensive AI technology is effective either in detecting the boats or in helping save the lives of those on board when they sink. When a small boat packed with migrants capsized last December, leaving four dead, it was a fishing crew that came to the rescue.

This piece explores one facet of a global trend in using AI technology to digitize border security. The mapping starts out with a snapshot of the frequency and type of UK channel boat crossings. That same map transitions to show the depth of UK surveillance. And then delves into one investigation of a perilous Channel journey that resulted in loss of life.