DHS governance bodies and leadership ensure that the Department leans forward in deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operations and leads in the safe, secure, and responsible use of AI. The Department engages with experts across its agencies, mission-spaces, and disciplines to create a holistic approach to AI governance at DHS.
DHS AI Governance Board
The DHS AI Governance Board coordinates and governs on issues related to the use of AI within DHS, including AI innovation and risk management. The Board enables coordination among DHS officials responsible for AI adoption and risk management. The Board also provides strategic direction for the Department’s ongoing engagement with external stakeholders on AI use at DHS and related topics.
The Department first convened the DHS AI Governance Board (AIGB) on May 17, 2024, fulfilling the requirements under OMB M-24-10 and Executive Order 14110. The Department leveraged the Deputy’s Management Action Group, an existing DHS leadership group, as the foundation for the AIGB.
The Board’s membership includes representation from senior officials responsible for key aspects of AI adoption and risk management, including information technology, cybersecurity, data, privacy, civil rights and civil liberties, equity, statistics, human capital, procurement, budget, legal, agency management, customer experience, and program evaluation.
The Board is comprised of the following senior DHS officials:
- Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, as the Chair
- DHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, as the Vice-Chair
- DHS Chief of Staff
- Under Secretary for Management
- Under Secretary, Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans
- Under Secretary, Office of Science and Technology
- Under Secretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
- Under Secretary, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
- DHS Chief Financial Officer
- DHS Chief Information Officer
- DHS Chief Privacy Officer
- DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- General Counsel
- Deputy Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Deputy Commissioner, Customs and Border Patrol
- Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Deputy Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
- Deputy Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Deputy Director, Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
- Deputy Director, US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Deputy Commandant, US Coast Guard
- Deputy Director, US Secret Service
DHS Chief AI Officer
The DHS Chief AI Officer promotes AI innovation and responsible use within the Department. The Chief AI Officer also advises the Secretary and Department leadership on AI strategy and risks. Secretary Mayorkas appointed DHS Chief Information Officer Eric Hysen as the Department’s first Chief AI Officer.
Read the press release on the appointment of the first DHS Chief AI Officer.
Watch DHS Chief AI Officer Eric Hysen testify to how federal agencies are harnessing artificial intelligence before the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation.
The DHS Artificial Intelligence Task Force
Secretary Mayorkas established the DHS Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AITF) on April 20, 2023 to advance specific mission applications of AI across DHS.
The AITF’s initial focus is on four mission objectives:
- Combating fentanyl trafficking
- Strengthening supply chain security
- Countering child exploitation
- Protecting critical infrastructure
The Chief AI Officer/Chief information Officer and the Under Secretary for Science and Technology co-chair the AITF. The Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties serves as Vice-Chair. The AITF provides the Secretary regular reports on its work and AI efforts across DHS more broadly, which the AITF does through its 60-day Updates.
Read about the establishment of the AITF and its updates.