DHS releases AI roadmap, new pilot projects to test AI technology for various missions

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security laid out its 2024 plans for technology this week, unveiling the launch of three pilot projects to test artificial intelligence for immigration officer training, making it easier to apply for disaster relief grants and improving investigatory efficiency.

In their own ways, each advances a different aspect of the homeland security mission. The launch of these pilots also coincided with the department’s first Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, which laid out in more detail its plans for the coming days, such as these test uses.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will use AI to potentially improve its investigative processes regarding fentanyl and child sexual exploitation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will also tap AI to help communities plan for and develop hazard mitigation plans. Finally, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the technology to improve 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,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said. “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. 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.”

Last year, the department created its first AI Task Force to identify areas where AI could improve DHS efficacy.

In each test case, pilot teams will work with privacy, cybersecurity and civil rights experts during development and evaluation for a broader view. Going forward, DHS hopes the work will inform its more department-wide policies on AI governance. For HSI, the pilot could lead to increased detection of fentanyl-related networks and the identification of both perpetrators and victims of child exploitation, while logging patterns therein. FEMA’s efforts could allow more communities to submit grant applications for funding to reduce disaster risks, while the immigration officer training AI could help improve recruits’ understanding and retention of crucial information.