Federal agencies are likely to adopt AI technology, as the Department of Homeland Security has done.

• The Department of Homeland Security was among the first government agencies to embrace the use of artificial intelligence following the White House's October executive order on the subject.
• DHS has unveiled a roadmap outlining its plans for AI this year, which includes the launch of three pilot projects to evaluate AI technology on topics such as immigration, fentanyl, and child exploitation - priorities that are also at the heart of Republican impeachment proceedings against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
• Homeland Security is intensifying its search for AI talent as the need becomes more urgent, according to DHS CIO and chief AI officer Eric Hysen.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced a roadmap detailing its plans for AI this year and has launched three pilot projects to test AI technology, following the White House's executive order promoting safe and responsible development and use of artificial intelligence in the federal government last October.

DHS's roadmap provides insight into its strategy for AI and its goal of collaborating with the private sector, academia, other government agencies, and partners to expedite the creation and implementation of AI solutions suited to its specific needs.

Three initiatives aim to improve immigration officer training, community resilience, and law enforcement investigation efficiency.

In a single pilot, HSI will employ AI to improve its investigative processes for detecting fentanyl and combating child exploitation. By introducing a large language model-based system, the department aims to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of summaries investigators rely on. The LLM-based system will leverage open-source technologies to enable investigators to more rapidly summarize and search for contextually relevant information within investigative reports.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will deploy generative AI to streamline the hazard mitigation planning process for local governments, including underserved communities, in a pilot program. The initiative will aid state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in developing a plan that pinpoints risks and mitigation strategies.

In the third pilot, USCIS will create an interactive app that utilizes gen AI to enhance the training process for immigration officer personnel.

According to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, the rapid advancement and widespread use of AI present both advantages and dangers.

Mayorkas stated that the DHS AI roadmap and pilots will direct our efforts this year to enhance our national security, optimize our operations, and offer more efficient services to the American people, while maintaining our dedication to safeguarding civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy.

The pilot projects will provide valuable insights for DHS to use AI effectively and responsibly in homeland security, according to him.

The key priorities of DHS, such as immigration and fentanyl issues at the border, are also at the center of Republican impeachment efforts against Mayorkas, which are seen as highly politicized and lacking constitutional law merit.

AI talent search

The agency, like many other organizations, is currently searching for AI talent. In an effort to recruit 50 AI technology experts, the agency recently launched its first-ever hiring sprint.

DHS aims to establish an "AI Corps" to enhance its workforce with AI and machine learning experts. These experts, part of the DHS office of the chief information officer, will work on various projects promoting AI innovation and implementation. They will offer expertise in AI/ML, data science, data engineering, program management, product management, software engineering, and cybersecurity.

"The DHS CIO and chief AI officer Eric Hysen stated that the urgent need for talent is driving faster recruitment. The focus is on hiring individuals with advanced technical skills and a passion for utilizing recent AI advancements to revolutionize government interactions."

Alla Valente, senior analyst at Forrester Research, stated that the department's forays into AI are a good and necessary step, especially given its public visibility, reach, and mission, which make it a perfect candidate to be an early AI adopter within the federal government.

"DHS needs AI to scale, become more competitive, and proactive in their efforts. With leadership, accountability, and a plan in place, they can gain insights and pave the way for other federal agencies."

Prioritizing risk management over compliance

Valente stated that DHS must prioritize risk management over compliance to safely utilize AI without compromising privacy and liberties.

Valente stated that most federal agencies are in a "wait-and-see period" with AI. He explained that "many don't have the appetite for risk that comes with change," while "others don't have the literacy, expertise, and skills to jump in just yet."

The appointment of chief artificial intelligence officers as mandated by a memo from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget prioritizes AI expertise and skills over agency experience, according to Valente.

Valente stated that the Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services are likely to have more incentive to move quickly on AI because they are critical infrastructure, public-facing, experience major cybersecurity threats and operational disruptions, and are deeply connected with the private sector, which is already using AI.

Valente stated that as the private sector's adoption of AI increases, agencies will be forced to follow suit.

Some barriers to AI adoption will be challenging for agencies, as stated in a recent report by EY and Market Connections.

The main obstacles to effective data governance include a shortage of personnel (59%), limited budgets (58%), and concerns about data security (57%). Only 27% of respondents believe that the federal government will quickly adopt AI technologies in the near future.

While 70% of agency IT leaders are confident in their organization's ability to maintain privacy controls and use up-to-date data to make better decisions, they are also exploring, developing, or using AI for data analysis, document analysis, and predictive analytics.

EY's government and public sector practice leader, Joe Baptiste, stated that federal agencies are actively and holistically utilizing AI's capabilities across multiple areas.

To maintain their AI utilization trajectory, federal agencies must foster environments that encourage exploration and adoption, particularly as homeland security dynamics evolve, Baptiste said.