From Static Rules to AI Learning: Jean Gurunlian on the Future of Customs Systems
Jean Gurunlian, Chairperson of Webb Fontaine and the founder and architect of the ASYCUDA system, has warned that traditional Customs technology is no longer viable in an era defined by large language models (LLMs).
Speaking at the WCO Technology Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Gurunlian said that the rapid advancement of AI has fundamentally changed the operational requirements of Customs administrations worldwide.
“No Customs system that has not been built on LLM will survive,” he said. “LLMs have effectively rendered existing Customs systems obsolete.”
Drawing on his experience deploying ASYCUDA in more than 100 countries, Gurunlian explained that the speed and unpredictability of regulatory change now far exceed the capabilities of legacy, rule-based platforms. Systems reliant on static logic, manual configuration, and lengthy development cycles are increasingly unable to keep pace with modern trade realities.
“Customs systems must adapt to legal, regulatory, and operational changes almost instantly,” he said. “If a system takes years to respond, it has already failed.”
Gurunlian noted that many Customs platforms still require months—or even years—to implement updates to tariffs, legislation, or non-tariff measures. In today’s geopolitical climate, he said, that delay is unacceptable.
“Tariffs and non-tariff barriers have become political tools that can change overnight,” he said. “LLM-enabled systems can interpret those changes, apply them, and put them into operation in seconds.”
According to Gurunlian, adaptability is no longer an optional feature but a fundamental requirement. Future-proof Customs systems must be capable of continuous learning, contextual interpretation, and rapid evolution—capabilities only achievable through AI-native architectures.
“The systems we built in the past, including my own, are destined to become obsolete,” he acknowledged. “If a system cannot be continuously improved while in production, it should not be deployed.”
He concluded by urging governments and Customs authorities to reconsider ongoing investments in static platforms, warning that such systems risk locking institutions into technology that cannot respond to regulatory volatility, geopolitical shocks, or the growing complexity of global trade.
