Washington, D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing its first ever strategic framework on the implementation and responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence in the domestic security apparatus. The Strategy was developed in response to the Trump Administration’s Executive Order 13690 Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government. The plan emphasizes the principles necessary to maintain America’s competitive technological edge while balancing the Constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties of all Americans.
“Artificial Intelligence offers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) new opportunities to accomplish our mission to secure the homeland, identify and interdict criminal actors, and secure cyberspace,” said Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf. “While we understand both the positive and negative risks surrounding the use of AI technology, the Department is taking a proactive role in overseeing the use of AI systems. DHS will be guided by the principles set forth in Executive Order 13690, Principles for the Use of AI in Government—which seek to prioritize the responsible use of AI technology, while also mitigating AI-related risks to our homeland, citizens, and values.”
President Trump’s Executive Order outlines certain parameters for all federal agencies when acquiring, designing, developing, and using AI. All agencies are required to adhere to the following Principles: Lawful and respectful of our Nation’s values; purposeful and performance-driven; accurate, reliable, and effective; safe, secure, and resilient; understandable; responsible and traceable; regularly monitored; transparent and accountable.
In response, the mission of the DHS strategy is to enhance capabilities in order to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values through the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into the Department’s mission while mitigating new threats posed by adversarial use of AI.
Throughout the development of the strategy, DHS worked closely with experts from the Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET); collaborating on AI system definition and classification. DHS values partnerships with academia, and the ongoing work with CSET will help to inform and develop effective AI policies at the Department.
The DHS strategy sets out five goals for the Department’s approach to integrating AI into DHS mission execution. The DHS core objective is to leverage AI for mission outcomes while mitigating the risks and challenges across the homeland security enterprise.
The DHS goals include: Identifying the potential impact of AI on the Homeland Security Enterprise; mitigating and managing AI Risks to the Homeland; investing in AI to enhance mission effectiveness; developing a DHS AI workforce; and, inspiring public trust and engagement.
To review the framework please visit: Link