Homeland Security confirms plans to use AI for national protection

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Apr 2023 21:35

The secretary clarifies that another aim is tackling the so-called Chinese "multi-faceted threat" by China which includes learning from past major cyber incidents.

The OpenAI logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen displaying output from ChatGPT, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Boston (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

At the Council of Foreign Relations, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed on Friday that artificial intelligence (AI) will be applied to a task force being set up in an attempt to protect US critical infrastructure and interests.

"I am directing the creation of our Department’s first Artificial Intelligence Task Force that will drive specific applications of AI to advance our critical homeland security missions," Mayorkas stated, adding that the DHS intends to advance the stability of supply chains and trade in the US.

"We will seek to deploy AI to more ably screen cargo, identify the importation of goods produced with forced labor, and manage risks," he said.

One of the task force's objectives is to block and prevent the flow of fentanyl into the US, as Mayorkas claims AI will "better detect fentanyl shipments, identify and interdict the flow of precursor chemicals around the world, and target for disruption key nodes in the criminal networks."

AI is not new to US law enforcement systems, as Assistant Chief of Miami's Police force, Armando Aguilar, confirmed last month that his unit used Clearview AI (which allows police to identify suspects through face photo searches) to identify suspects of various crimes, adding that it was used nearly 450 times a year.

He continued to clarify that another aim is tackling the Chinese "multi-faceted threat" by China which includes learning from past major cyber incidents.

Just back in September, Mayorkas stated that the risks confronting the United States in the 21 years since the September 11 attacks have evolved from concerns about "international terrorists" to growing concerns about domestic extremism.

In a shocking report, Newsweek revealed that the DHS has played the role of the government's eyes, ears, and arms, introducing racial profiling and immigration fear-based policies, implementing direct measures that have created systematic oppression against minorities, and militarizing American society, in addition to wasting large amounts of money and resources that could have spent on more urgent threats striking the country.