Chief of U.S. Homeland Security creates artificial intelligence task force

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security for the United States, announced on Friday that the agency would be setting up a task force to find ways to use artificial intelligence to do everything from securing critical infrastructure to screening cargo for products made with slave labor, to detect them.

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Despite the fact that artificial intelligence is not a new concept, the sudden popularity of OpenAI's ChatGPT in recent months has sent officials around the world scrambling to understand how they can make the best use of the technology for good and prevent it from being used to fuel disinformation and crime.

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Mayorkas said the introduction of this technology would "dramatically alter the threat landscape in a very positive way," adding that "our department will lead in the use of AI in a responsible manner to protect the homeland and to ensure that it is protected from malicious misuse of this revolutionary technology."

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In addition, Mayorkas said the Artificial Intelligence Task Force would examine how AI could be used for more productive work, such as screening cargo coming into the country for illicit goods, such as fentanyl or products made using slave labor, to improve public safety.

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Additionally, Mayorkas has urged efforts to be made to make use of artificial intelligence for the security of water supply and electric grids, both of which have been feared as potential targets for adversaries for some time.

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There was no doubt that the technology would have a profound effect on the threat landscape, Mayorkas said, adding that "Our department will be leading the way in the responsible use of AI to secure our homeland and defending itself against malicious uses of this transformational technology."

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The Artificial Intelligence Task Force will also look into ways in which artificial intelligence can be used to improve the way it performs tasks, like screening cargo coming into the country for illicit goods, such as fentanyl or products made with slave labor, Mayorkas said.

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He also urged efforts to begin using artificial intelligence to secure electric grids and water supply systems, both of which have been thought to be potential targets of adversaries in the past.

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"With the rapid pace of technological change we are now experiencing - we are in the midst of a momentous transition - it is imperative that we act now," he said.

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The new task force, chaired by Mayorkas, may also investigate the possibility that artificial intelligence could be used in a pernicious manner, and those ways could be found to defend against such misuse. Regardless of whether or not a move to regulate AI occurs, he said the government must be able to find a "sweet spot" where it can develop guardrails without stifling innovation in any way.

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As Mayorkas pointed out, artificial intelligence is still in its infancy, and it is premature to predict whether the harms will outweigh the benefits when it comes to it.

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"The power of this thing is extraordinary," he said.