The BAG-INTEL End-User and Stakeholder Advisory Board (EUSAB) brings together three esteemed experts who provide strategic insights and guidance to the project. Leveraging their expertise, they help assess the strengths and weaknesses of BAG-INTEL’s approach, advise on the application of results, and contribute to discussions to shape the project’s impact. Through ongoing exchanges, recommendations, and participation in selected meetings, the EUSAB plays a key role in ensuring BAG-INTEL aligns with real-world needs and end-user expectations. Learn more about the members of the BAG-INTEL EUSAB below.
Siavash Bigdeli brings eight years of industry experience in AI software and hardware deployment, along with a strong background in regulatory compliance. He has contributed to EU-funded aviation security projects, including PEGASSUS and HIPNOSIS, where he worked on AI-driven security solutions. As an educator and researcher in responsible AI, he analyzes fairness, accountability, and explainability, particularly in relation to GDPR and the EU AI Act.
Siavash provides insights on technology feasibility, ensuring that AI models for detecting risky baggage are not only effective but also explainable and compliant with regulatory frameworks. Given the high-risk nature of AI in security applications, he has developed systematic analyses of regulatory requirements under the EU AI Act. His experience in privacy and robustness compliance enables him to assess risks related to bias and transparency in AI-based tracking and detection systems. Ensuring that the system remains fair—avoiding demographic biases while effectively identifying relevant security threats—is essential. As an EUSAB member, Siavash helps align BAG-INTEL’s AI tools with technical, ethical, and legal considerations, enhancing both security and public trust in the system.
Ketil Ottersen brings extensive experience in customs operations, border control, and international law enforcement cooperation. Trained as a customs officer in Norway, he has held key positions at both the national and international levels. His career includes border control roles in the Norwegian Customs and Excise Directorate, assignments as the Norwegian Drug Liaison Officer for Spain and the Nordic Drug Liaison Officer for Austria, Check Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Ketil has also played a pivotal role in global customs and security initiatives. As the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Program, he worked to enhance the identification of high-risk shipments. He later led the UNODC Passenger and Cargo Control Program, a risk-based approach integrating passenger and cargo screening across multiple border types. His expertise spans international collaboration, intelligence-led enforcement, and operational strategies for detecting illicit trade and security threats.
As a BAG-INTEL EUSAB member, Ketil contributes valuable insights into customs procedures, risk assessment methodologies, and international best practices. His experience ensures that BAG-INTEL’s AI-driven tools align with the needs of customs authorities, enhancing operational efficiency while supporting compliance with global security frameworks.
Andrew Price brings over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, specializing in baggage innovation and system optimization. He has held leadership roles, including serving as Head of Baggage Improvement Program at IATA. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM), he has successfully led multi-stakeholder projects on an international scale. Andrew’s expertise is backed by a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and a certification in designing and building AI products and services from MIT.
Throughout his career, Andrew has played a key role in advancing baggage handling technologies. He led the IATA Baggage Improvement Program, achieving a 53% global reduction in baggage mishandling through data-driven solutions and strategic collaborations with airports, airlines, and governments. As the founder of Opermium Sàrl, he designed robotic baggage movement systems, integrating automation into aviation operations. His work with RFID technologies, X-ray/CT scanning, and automated data collection systems aligns closely with BAG-INTEL’s focus on AI-enhanced risk assessment and tracking. He has also worked with Dutch customs on innovative baggage tagging solutions.
As a BAG-INTEL EUSAB member, Andrew contributes insights into the intersection of AI, aviation, and security. His passion for leveraging technology to optimize operations aligns with BAG-INTEL’s mission to enhance efficiency and security in incoming baggage screening. He is particularly interested in integrating AI and digital tools to tackle global challenges in customs and baggage handling while ensuring sustainability and operational excellence.