U.S. Government Exploring Using AI For Defense And Homeland Security

With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming more prominent by the day, it’s no wonder the United States government is considering how the country can harness its power. 

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The Biden administration is taking steps to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in protecting the country. Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recently announced the formation of a new task force to investigate how the government can leverage AI technology to enhance homeland security.

The AI industry continues to garner major attention and massive amounts of funding. For example, ChatGPT parent company OpenAI received a $10 billion investment from Microsoft Corp., and Google parent company Alphabet Inc. has major plans to disrupt the industry. This is in addition to a wave of new startups, such as GenesisAI, helping businesses integrate AI into their existing models.. 

Mayorkas Talks Next Steps

Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event, Mayorkas stressed that while the government would embrace the benefits of AI, it would also take precautions to guard against its malicious use. The DHS task force will test AI for bias and ensure it has a clearly explainable impact on the people it serves. 

Mayorkas revealed two use cases where AI could be deployed within DHS systems to fine-tune its operations. The first is to identify goods produced by forced labor by screening cargo using AI. The second is to leverage AI to detect fentanyl in shipments to the U.S. and to halt the flow of precursor chemicals used to manufacture the dangerous drug.

The formation of the DHS task force underscores the growing importance of AI in the U.S. government's policy agenda. While some tech leaders have voiced their concerns about the potential harms of advanced AI models, many policymakers recognize the need to stay ahead in the race to develop the best AI.

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To guide the government's use of AI, Mayorkas has asked Homeland Security Advisory Council Co-Chair Jamie Gorelick to lead a study on "the intersection of AI and homeland security" and deliver findings that will help shape future policies.

In related news, U.S. Central Command announced the hiring of Andrew Moore, former AI cloud director at Google. He will advise the department on how to use AI and similar technologies.

Just the same as companies all over the world, the United States government is vetting the potential for AI to beef up homeland security. 

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