Arrr, DHS be unveilin' fresh guardrails fer employin' AI in grand quests, and aye, a mint-new officer be amongst 'em!
2023-09-14
Avast ye! The Department of Homeland Security be settin' forth new guidelines for employin' the likes o' artificial intelligence in their noble quest to protect thar borders. Arrr, they be stakin' their claim on the modern seas!
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced new guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in securing the border. These policies were developed by the DHS Artificial Intelligence Task Force, which was created by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in April. The department emphasized the importance of AI in various missions, such as combating fentanyl trafficking, strengthening supply chain security, countering sexual exploitation, and protecting critical infrastructure.Mayorkas stated that AI must be rigorously tested for effectiveness and must also safeguard privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties while avoiding biases. DHS has already utilized AI extensively on the southern border, including the use of over 200 surveillance cameras to detect human crossings.
DHS has appointed Eric Hysen as the department's first Chief AI Officer, responsible for promoting AI innovation and safety. Hysen acknowledged the potential for unintended harm caused by AI and highlighted the importance of interactions with individuals during critical times in their lives. Academics have previously raised concerns about AI's potential for racial profiling and errors in identifying complex relationships.
Under the new policy, Americans will have the option to decline the use of facial recognition technology in various situations, including during air travel check-ins. The guidelines also require that facial recognition matches discovered using AI technology be manually reviewed by human analysts for accuracy.
During a congressional hearing, Hysen planned to highlight a case where advanced machine learning models flagged a car for a potentially suspicious pattern at the San Isidro Port of Entry in California. Agents later discovered 75 kilograms of drugs hidden in the car.
Overall, the DHS is taking steps to ensure that AI is used effectively, while also considering privacy, civil rights, and potential biases.