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
- Deputy Under Secretary, Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans
- Deputy Under Secretary, Office of Science and Technology
- Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Partnership and Engagement
- DHS Chief Financial Officer
- DHS Chief Information Officer
- DHS Chief Privacy Officer
- DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- Principal Deputy General Counsel
- Deputy Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
- Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Deputy Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
- Deputy Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Deputy Director, Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
- Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
- Deputy Director, U.S. Secret Service
DHS Chief AI Officer
The DHS Chief AI Officer promotes AI innovation and responsible use within the Department. This role involves advising the Secretary and Department leadership on AI strategy and risks. The DHS Chief AI Officer also leads the DHS AI Council and collaborates with DHS Offices, Components, and governance groups to oversee the Department’s use of AI.
The DHS Chief Technology Officer (CTO) serves as the DHS Chief AI Officer. The DHS CTO is within the Office of the Chief Information Officer. DHS appointed its first Chief AI Officer September 2023.
DHS AI Council
The DHS AI Council supports the DHS AI Governance Board and the DHS Chief AI Officer in promoting AI innovation and managing governance and risks in AI use at DHS. The Council ensures that use of AI at DHS is safe, secure, responsible, trustworthy, and human-centered. The DHS Chief AI Officer leads the Council and use it to issue and update AI policy. The Council also coordinates its efforts with the DHS Chief Information Officer Council and other DHS governance groups.
The Council is comprised of the following senior DHS officials:
- DHS Chief AI Officer, as the Chair
- Senior AI Officials from the following Components and Elements of the Intelligence Community within DHS:
- Office on Intelligence and Analysis
- Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Secret Service
- DHS Chief Information Officer
- DHS Chief Privacy Officer
- DHS Officer for Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- Senior official with expertise on AI testing and evaluation from the Science and Technology Directorate
- Senior official from the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans