As the use of artificial intelligence technology expands within the federal government, the Department of Homeland Security will increase training for immigration officials, prepare for dangers, and introduce new artificial intelligence technology, including multiple programs to tackle child exploitation and fentanyl smuggling. A roadmap was announced.
The agency on Monday announced three pilot programs that will leverage AI across three agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The New York Times reports that the program will be released We are partnering with US AI startups OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic.
DHS recruits “AI squad” to fight fentanyl distribution, online exploitation, and cyberattacks
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is expected to face an impeachment vote in the House. (Getty Images)
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which primarily handles transnational crime, plans to develop a system to improve the summaries agents rely on. DHS believes it could help thwart fentanyl and child exploitation networks, including by allowing quick access to databases and identifying trends.
USCIS, which handles legal immigration, plans to use AI to improve the training of immigration agents who use chatbots for mock interviews. The program aims to improve information retention, increase accuracy and prevent retraining, the agency said in a statement.
DHS releases new guardrails for using AI in missions, announces new officers
Meanwhile, FEMA will use AI to develop hazard mitigation plans, specifically risk identification strategies, and allow local and state governments to customize their strategies.
“The unprecedented speed and potential for the development and deployment of AI presents both tremendous opportunities to advance our mission and risks that must be mitigated,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. ”
“DHS’ AI roadmap and pilots will strengthen national security, improve operations, and deliver more efficient services while upholding our commitment to protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy,” he said. “This will guide our efforts this year to provide for the American people.” He said.
DHS has made a number of major efforts to embrace this new, largely untested technology and use it to its advantage. Last month, the agency announced a “hiring sprint” to hire 50 technical experts for an “AI squad” that protects infrastructure from AI attacks and combats fentanyl distribution and online child exploitation.
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Last year, the company announced new guardrails for all uses of AI and established an AI task force. AI is also being used on the front lines, with technology being used at ports of entry to track vehicles and passengers at the southern border. The agency says this led to dozens of drug seizures, including fentanyl.

