• by Laurie Sullivan , Yesterday

For the last seven decades, a joint United States and Canadian operation has tracked Santa as he delivers gifts across the world.

This year, there is a new way to track him. 

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a joint project between the United States and Canada, has been monitoring the skies for threats since the Cold War.

As part of the holiday season, NORAD still tracks Santa’s progress through the skies each Christmas, but today it enhances images using OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The NORAD Tracks Santa program for 2025 has sponsors. The 70th anniversary program is made possible by such organizations as OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Amazon Web Services, Verizon and Hewlett-Packard, as well as various others like Space Base Delta 1 and Acuity Scheduling.

Visitors to NORAD’s website can make a call to track Santa. During the past 70 years, volunteers have answered calls on Christmas Eve from 4 AM to midnight Mountain Standard Time with virtual translation services available in 200 languages.

Visitors also can access holiday music tracks through NORAD's YouTube channel, which features videos about Santa and the command, shop merchandise and play games.

While the fundamental method used by NORAD to follow Santa throughout the world remains rooted in the aerospace defense systems, NORAD's AI-integration photo tool, “Elf Enrollment,” is where users can upload a picture and receive an "official" Santa's helper-style image.

Another NORAD genAI tool is “Santa's Toy Lab,” where children can describe a dream toy and receive a printable coloring page based on that description. There is also a storytelling tool, “Christmas Story Creator,” so kids can create a story all their own through personalized holiday experiences.

Some systems associated with the website, such as "Radar the Elf," also are AI-powered to assist users. 

Independent from NORAD, Google has its own Santa Tracker. Google features a "Santa's Village" with games, interactive storybooks, and educational activities, which also uses technologies for a 3D experience. 

Google does not have the same tracking capabilities as NORAD, but it has been offering its own Santa Tracker since 2004 by integrating Google Maps, games and other experiences.