ESA’s INTEGRAL high-energy observatory is scheduled for launch in 2001. INTEGRAL carries two gamma-ray instruments, optimized respectively for spectroscopy and high-resolution imaging, complemented by an X-ray and an optical monitor. The high sensitivity of the INTEGRAL instruments will allow the detection and detailed studies of relatively faint gamma-ray bursts. The INTEGRAL Burst Alert System (IBAS) is implemented as a ground-based system, working on the near-real time telemetry stream. It is expected that the system will detect more than one GRB per month in the field of view of the main instruments. Positions with an accuracy of a few arc-minutes will be distributed to the community for follow-up observations within a few tens of seconds of the event. Furthermore, the system will upload commands to optimize the detection of an associated transient with the INTEGRAL optical monitor. ©2000 American Institute of Physics.