DHS releases new guardrails for using AI in missions, announces new officer

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday unveiled new guardrails for its use of artificial intelligence in carrying out its mission to secure the border. The new policies were developed by DHS Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AITF), which DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas created in April. In announcing these new policies, DHS noted that AI has been critical to its missions, including combating fentanyl trafficking, strengthening supply chain security, countering sexual exploitation, and protecting critical infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security logo is seen during a news conference in Washington. Mayorkas writes in the AI policy memo, expected to be released later Thursday, that the US must ensure AI is "rigorously tested to be effective [and] safeguards privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties while avoiding inappropriate biases."