{
  "id": 17755345,
  "title": "'Everything's a bomb': AI cargo scanners still 'at learning stage', Dewan Rakyat told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/everythings-a-bomb-ai-cargo-scanners-still-at-learning-stage-dewan",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-02T05:33:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1568946/everythings-bomb-ai-cargo-scanners-still-learning-stage-dewan-rakyat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: AI systems in cargo scanners at airports and ports are still in the learning phase, according to Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah. The scanners at airports often cannot accurately identify the items they detect, frequently flagging them as bombs despite them being harmless. Hasbi explained that the quality of the images produced by the AI is often poor, making it difficult for the system to accurately identify the items. He emphasized that AI should be considered a support tool, rather than the sole basis for clearing cargo. The final decision must follow the full security process, including image assessments by screeners, additional checks if necessary, and compliance with approved security programs. Hasbi also mentioned that staff on the ground are collecting data and feeding it into the AI systems, with some machines having processed around 15,000 images, while others have received about 8,000. He discussed the possibility of sharing data from other countries with advanced AI systems through agreements with the Customs Department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) to avoid having to train the AI from scratch. When asked whether AI scanners were regularly updated and tested, Hasbi stated that agencies might need to upgrade scanners at ports due to the rapid evolution of technology. He also highlighted the importance of experienced staff in conjunction with AI systems, citing an example of machines in Australia equipped with three layers of scanning, including 360-degree views.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Artificial intelligence (AI) systems in cargo scanners at airports and ports are still at the learning stage and often cannot identify what they detect, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah told the Dewan Rakyat.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}