The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will experiment with using artificial intelligence (AI) in three test projects, the department revealed on Monday.
DHS will use AI to aid investigations targeting the identification of fentanyl and fighting against child sexual exploitation. It will also conduct tests under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
FEMA will employ AI to help communities prepare and develop plans to reduce risks and strengthen resilience, while USCIS will use AI to enhance immigration officer training.
“The incredible speed and potential of AI’s development and adoption offers significant opportunities to further our mission as well as risks we need to address,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in an announcement.
In addition to the three test projects, DHS announced a set of principles to guide its implementation of AI initiatives.
The plan requires DHS to ensure that its use of AI “fully respects” privacy and civil rights and is “rigorously tested to avoid” bias, privacy harms, and other risks. It also encourages the agency to promote nationwide AI safety and security, including safeguarding U.S. cyber networks and critical infrastructure.
The plan also urges DHS to lead in “strong cohesive partnerships,” including with the private sector, local governments, and research institutions.
The AI initiative builds on the DHS’s announcement last month that it is hiring 50 AI technology experts.
DHS plans to allocate $5 million to the pilot program announced on Monday, according to The New York Times.
The department will use AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to support the new tests, and is also partnering with Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft, Google and Amazon as it launches the pilot programs, according to the Times.
