CATSA Assist Enhancements is an artificial intelligence system currently in development that uses natural language processing to improve how Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) employees and screening personnel make decisions about whether items are permitted through airport security checkpoints. When screening officers encounter items they are uncertain about, they can use this AI-powered tool to quickly access guidance on security regulations and item restrictions.
The system is designed to enhance the speed and consistency of security screening decisions by helping personnel interpret complex security rules. It uses natural language processing technology to understand questions in plain language and retrieval augmented generation to provide accurate, current information from CATSA's security guidelines. This system does not collect or store personal information about travelers—it focuses exclusively on helping staff make better screening decisions.
This tool is available only to authorized CATSA employees and screening personnel as part of their job functions. The system is in active development and has been registered with the Government of Canada's AI registry to ensure transparency and accountability as it is tested and refined for operational use.
