The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new surveillance system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out its border protection mission.
These new policies were developed by the DHS Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AITF), established by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in April.
According to DHS, AI has become a central component of its operations, including efforts to combat the fentanyl trade, enhance supply chain security, address sexual violence, and protect critical infrastructure.
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The logo of the Department of Homeland Security is seen at a press conference in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Mayorkas emphasized in the AI policy memo, expected to be released on Thursday, the need to ensure that AI is thoroughly tested for effectiveness and meets the criteria of protecting privacy, civil liberties, human rights, and avoiding bias.
AI technology has already been extensively used by DHS at the southern border, particularly the deployment of over 200 cameras to detect and identify border crossings.
DHS has announced that Eric Hysen, the Chief Information Officer (CIO), has been appointed as the department’s first Chief AI Officer. Hysen, scheduled to testify before Congress on Thursday, will focus on promoting AI and security capabilities within the department, according to DHS.
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“I believe that the potential for harm, unrelated to the use of AI, exists in any federal agency that employs AI,” Hysten stated. “We interact with more individuals on a daily basis than any other federal agency. And often, these interactions occur during challenging times in people’s lives.”
Historically, experts have raised concerns about the risks associated with AI in terms of data mining, as it can make mistakes and identify complex relationships.
Under the new guidelines, Americans will have the option to opt out of using facial recognition technology in various situations, including during flights.
New sections of the steel border wall, with primary and secondary barriers, are on the US-Mexico border between San Diego and Tijuana (L) during a visit by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on May 10, 2021, in Otay Mesa area in San Diego County, California. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
According to the new guidelines that will accompany the AI memo, facial recognition matches obtained using AI technology will be manually reviewed by human experts to ensure accuracy.
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During a congressional hearing, Hysen intended to discuss a recent case at the San Isidro Port of Entry in California, where Customs and Border Patrol utilized advanced machine learning (ML) technology to flag an unidentified vehicle crossing north from Mexico that had “questionable policy opportunity.”
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Later, agents discovered 75 kilograms of drugs hidden in the car’s fuel tank and back panels.
Reuters contributed to this report.
