Big Business at EU's Borders: Who's Cashing In on Europe's AI Boom

This cross-border investigation will expose the powerful and often opaque nexus of corporations, research institutions, and government actors profiting from the European Union’s expanding border security complex. Building on the acclaimed project Invisible Walls—which received international coverage and was cited by the UNHCR—the team will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based exposé of the financial interests and political ties shaping EU migration policy.

For the first time, reporters will systematically map the key beneficiaries of multi-billion-euro contracts for AI-driven surveillance, biometric systems, and border infrastructure. By analyzing procurement deals, public funding allocations, and confidential documents, the investigation will trace the flow of money—from major defense contractors to emerging tech firms and academic institutions—and scrutinize whether public funds are spent transparently and ethically.

The project will also reveal lobbying networks, revolving-door relationships, and conflicts of interest, including within EU oversight bodies. It will assess the regulatory gaps in AI deployment and investigate reports of cross-border use of surveillance technologies without proper oversight.

At a time when migration is one of Europe’s most contested political issues, and AI evolves faster than regulation, this reporting will interrogate the lack of transparency and accountability in the EU’s security-industrial complex. Through long-form journalism, data analysis, and field reporting across Europe, the project aims to inform public debate, hold decision-makers accountable, and spotlight the human rights risks at the heart of Europe’s high-tech borders.

Caption: European Union flags are shown at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium. Image by HJBC/Shutterstock. 2025.