Homeland Security reveals first AI roadmap, launches pilot programs

Mar 18

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

This report was created with support from enhanced software.

The Department of Homeland Security unveiled its inaugural artificial intelligence roadmap Monday, March 18, introducing three pilot projects. The initiatives aim to improve investigations into fentanyl trafficking and child exploitation, support communities in disaster resilience planning through FEMA and enhance training for immigration officers.

The unprecedented speed and potential of AI’s development and adoption presents both enormous opportunities to advance our mission and risks we must mitigate.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized AI’s potential to significantly advance DHS operations, while also stressing the importance of mitigating its risks.

“The DHS AI roadmap and pilots will guide our efforts this year to strengthen our national security, improve our operations, and provide more efficient services to the American people, while upholding our commitment to protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy,” Mayorkas said. “What we learn from the pilot projects will be beneficial in shaping how the Department can effectively and responsibly use AI across the homeland security enterprise moving forward.”

Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.

Point phone camera here

NEW: DHS's @CISAgov released its first Roadmap for AI, adding to the significant DHS & broader whole-of-government effort to ensure the secure development and implementation of artificial intelligence capabilities. Learn more: https://t.co/pSG6aOEneJ pic.twitter.com/VpR1ZanZR2
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 14, 2023

Alongside the roadmap, the DHS presented an AI strategy outlining the technology’s use principles.

These efforts are part of the DHS’s wider commitment to responsibly utilize AI, ensure the safety, security, and trustworthiness of its development and application.

By collaborating with industry leaders such as Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, the DHS is focused on maintaining civil rights, liberties, and privacy.

Last year, the DHS established its first AI task force to pinpoint areas where artificial intelligence could enhance departmental efficiency. In February, Mayorkas initiated a significant recruitment drive to hire 50 AI specialists to support future projects.

Tags: Alejandro Mayorkas, Artificial Intelligence, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, Fentanyl, Immigration

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ROLLED OUT ITS FIRST-EVER ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROADMAP Monday — THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THREE PIONEERING PILOT PROJECTS.

THESE EFFORTS AIM TO ENHANCE INVESTIGATIONS INTO FENTANYL AND CHILD EXPLOITATION, ASSIST COMMUNITIES IN DISASTER RESILIENCE PLANNING THROUGH FEMA, AND IMPROVE IMMIGRATION OFFICER TRAINING.

SECRETARY ALEJANDRO MAYORKA’S HIGHLIGHTED AI’S ABILITY TO GREATLY ENHANCE THE DHS OPERATIONS, WHILE ALSO RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING ITS POTENTIAL RISKS. ALONG WITH THE ROADMAP, DHS INTRODUCED AN AI STRATEGY THAT ESTABLISHES GUIDELINES FOR USING THE TECHNOLOGY.

THESE INITIATIVES ARE PART OF DHS‘ BROADER EFFORT TO LEVERAGE AI RESPONSIBLY, PROMOTING SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TRUSTWORTHINESS IN ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION. BY PARTNERING WITH EXPERTS LIKE META, MICROSOFT, GOOGLE, AND AMAZON, DHS BELIEVES THE MOVE WILL UPHOLD AND “PROTECT CIVIL RIGHTS, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND PRIVACY.”

LAST YEAR, DHS ESTABLISHED THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST AI TASK FORCE IDENTIFYING KEY AREAS WHERE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN BOOST THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFICIENCY. AND IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, SECRETARY MAYORKAS LAUNCHED A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO HIRE 50 EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TO HELP DEPLOY FUTURE PROJECTS.