DHS Poised to Play Key Role Under Artificial Intelligence Order
The Biden Administration is laying the groundwork for increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) into the federal government workforce.
President Biden on October 30, 2023, released a sweeping executive order (EO) that aims to promote the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The EO is wide ranging and includes everything from setting new standards for AI safety to developing best practices to both maximize AI’s potential in the workforce and minimize harms such as job displacement.
Among the agencies tasked with seeing the order through is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a fact sheet, DHS said it is poised to “play a critical part in ensuring that AI use is safe and secure nation-wide. DHS’s own use of AI will be achieved responsibly, while advancing equity and appropriately safeguarding privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.”
DHS highlighted several areas of responsibility:
· Managing AI in Critical Infrastructure and Cyberspace — DHS will set up an AI Safety and Security Advisory Board (AISSB) to support responsible development, working with stakeholders inside and outside of government to develop AI safety and security guidance, and use AI’s potential to improve U.S. cyber defenses.
· Reducing Risks at the Intersection of AI and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats — DHS will work with fellow agencies to mitigate any threats of actors using AI to obtain weapons of mass destruction.
· Combating AI-related Intellectual Property Theft —DHS will create a program to mitigate IP theft by leveraging partnerships.
· Attracting and Retaining Talent in AI and Other Critical Emerging Technologies — DHS promises to streamline processing times of petitions for non-U.S. citizens to come and work in the U.S. on AI projects.
“DHS is already deploying AI responsibly to achieve our missions, and this Executive Order will build on that leadership,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who attended the White House signing event.
Talent Surge
In addition to DHS, agencies across the board will be looking to fill AI ranks, as the EO calls for a National AI Talent Surge to kick off 45 days after the order’s signing.
The surge involves multiple federal agencies including the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The agencies will be involving with developing rules and regulations for hiring AI personnel, implementing AI in government operations, accelerating research and development, and ultimately attracting AI workers.
AI Guidance
Two days after the order was signed, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released proposed guidance on implementation.
It puts agency leaders in charge of speeding up the adoption of AI tools and making sure that all requirements are followed in implementation.
Agencies also have 60 days to name a chief AI officer to lead implementation efforts. OMB is seeking comments on the guidance through December 5.