Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning , Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development

DHS Is Recruiting Techies for the AI Corps

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is recruiting dozens of artificial intelligence experts to integrate AI abilities into government work such as defending against cyberthreats and using AI-powered computer vision to assess damages after a disaster.

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Using flexible hiring authorities that went into effect in January, DHS said Tuesday that it plans to hire 50 AI tech experts this year to participate in what it is calling the AI Corps - a group modeled on the U.S. Digital Service. The AI Corps will be a part of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and will be dedicated to supporting "policy initiatives to ensure the safe and secure use of AI, while protecting privacy and civil rights and civil liberties," DHS said.

The announcement was part of a departmental hiring effort in Mountain View, California, at an event headlined by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and DHS Chief Information Officer Officer Eric Hysen.

"We want to lead the federal government in harnessing AI to advance our mission," Mayorkas said at the event, reported Axios. "It is incredibly important that we build confidence in how we are using AI."

The initiative follows President Joe Biden's October AI executive order that aims to position the United States as a global AI leader. The White House late last month - on the order's 90-day anniversary - touted federal progress on executing the order (see: Biden's AI Executive Order, 90 Days On).

DHS established last April an AI task force focused on integrating AI into specific missions, including combating fentanyl trafficking, countering child exploitation, strengthening supply chain security and protecting critical infrastructure.

DHS said Tuesday that the effort is paying off through a machine learning model that has identified potentially suspicious patterns in vehicle-crossing history. U.S. Customs and Border protection used the model to flag a car crossing into the United States for secondary inspection, which led to the discovery of 75 kilograms of drugs, DHS said.

"We are recruiting faster than ever because the need is urgent," said Hysen in a statement.