DHS plays a critical role in ensuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) use is safe and secure nationwide. The Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence outlines a coordinated, government-wide approach to AI. DHS leads in the responsible innovation and public protection missions at the intersection of AI and homeland security.
The AI Safety and Security Advisory Board (AISSB) includes AI experts from the private sector and government that advise the Secretary and the critical infrastructure community. The AISSB provides information and recommendations for improving security, resilience, and incident response related to the use of AI in critical infrastructure.
AI presents opportunities to improve the operations of critical infrastructure, but it also introduces new risks. The AISSB will harness AI and infrastructure expertise to assess emerging risks to critical infrastructure from AI and provide advice and recommendations to mitigate those risks.
To protect U.S. networks and critical infrastructure, DHS is adapting and incorporating the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework, as well as other appropriate security guidance, into safety and security guidance for use by critical infrastructure owners and operators. DHS is helping the Department of State develop agreements related to cross-border threats to US critical infrastructure.
DHS will partner with the Department of Defense to plan a pilot program that will develop an AI capability that can fix vulnerabilities in critical US government networks. The pilot program will also develop advanced monitoring of Infrastructure as a Service providers that use AI in critical infrastructure.
DHS will use the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) cybersecurity best practices and vulnerability management process to increase the cybersecurity of AI systems.
CISA's comprehensive approach to AI includes:
- responsibly using AI to support the mission;
- assuring AI systems;
- protecting critical infrastructure from malicious use of AI;
- collaborating and communicating with the public and interagency and international partners; and
- expanding AI expertise in the DHS workforce.
CISA is actively using AI and machine learning tools for threat detection, prevention, and vulnerability assessments.
DHS is working with the United Kingdom (UK) on secure AI. CISA is coordinating with the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to develop guidance for secure AI. This effort is part of CISA’s Secure by Design initiative, which strives to build security into the design and manufacture of technology. More information about the collaboration between DHS and NCSC will be shared during the AI Summit this fall.
AI systems can help DHS defend against cyber threats, but AI systems also require protection from cyber threats. DHS emerging technology experts research, test, and deploy technologies to protect against a wide range of AI-based threats, including biological and chemical threats to and from AI systems.
The DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office’s (CWMD) work to counter chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological, or explosives threats will be used in the creation of new programs and a counter-AI working group. The DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans is working with DHS Science and Technology and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers to create focused assessments of national security risks and mitigation plans for the adversarial use of AI.
DHS will use its experience in technology evaluation and CISA’s cybersecurity expertise to run real world tests and monitor high-risk AI systems used in critical infrastructure. The Department will continuously test and evaluate the AI systems in use to ensure they are safe, secure, and effective.
DHS is creating a program to assist AI developers in mitigating AI-related Intellectual Property (IP) risks. The Department will develop guidance and other resources to help private-sector actors mitigate the risks of AI-related IP theft. DHS will also help update the IP Enforcement Coordinator Joint Strategic Plan on IP Enforcement to address AI-related issues.
Cultivating talent in AI and other emerging technologies is critical to U.S. global competitiveness. To ensure that the United States can attract and retain this top talent, DHS will streamline processing times of petitions and applications for noncitizens who seek to travel to the United States to work on, study, or conduct research in AI or other critical and emerging technologies.
DHS will also clarify and modernize immigration pathways for such experts, including those for O-1A and EB-1 noncitizens of extraordinary ability; EB-2 advanced-degree holders and noncitizens of exceptional ability; and startup founders using the International Entrepreneur Rule.