While the Navy and Air Force have been actively pursuing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies to enhance their operational capabilities, they are not the only federal entities focused on these emerging technologies.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has embarked on several strategic and tactical initiatives to integrate AI across its diverse mission areas, aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Over the past few years, DHS has been developing a comprehensive AI strategy, which is reflected in its FY 2025 budget request. This strategy outlines both broad objectives and specific efforts at the departmental and component levels. Key initiatives include:

• DHS Artificial Intelligence Strategy: DHS has set overarching goals to embed AI into its operations. The strategy focuses on leveraging AI to enhance mission outcomes while carefully managing the associated risks. The five enterprise goals include understanding AI's impact on the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE), managing AI risks, investing in AI to boost mission effectiveness, building an AI-skilled workforce within DHS, and fostering public trust and engagement.

• AI Implementation Roadmap: In March 2024, DHS unveiled its AI Roadmap, which prioritizes AI deployment in areas such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) training, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster preparedness, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officer processes, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection capabilities, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) cybersecurity efforts.

• New AI Office Proposal: DHS has requested $5.0 million in the FY 2025 budget to establish an AI Office within the Office of the Chief Information Officer. This office will coordinate AI innovation and ensure the responsible use of AI across the department. DHS CIO Eric Hysen, who also serves as the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), is expected to lead this effort.

• AI Cybersecurity Roadmap: CISA released its first AI Roadmap in late 2023, detailing how AI will be used to enhance cybersecurity capabilities, protect AI systems from cyber threats, and prevent the malicious use of AI to target U.S. critical infrastructure.

• Automated Airport Screening: DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is exploring AI-driven robotics and machine vision technologies to automate the screening process for explosives and other prohibited items. This initiative is part of DHS’s broader Innovation, Research & Development (IRD) strategy, which aims to use synthetic data to train AI/ML algorithms for threat detection at airports.

• Adversarial AI: DHS is also addressing the growing threat of adversarial AI (AAI), which involves the use of AI for deceptive practices that undermine trust in digital content. The department has published guidelines to help agencies identify and mitigate these risks.

DHS's ongoing AI initiatives are also shaped by insights from the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) AI Mission Focused Subcommittee, which submitted its final report in September 2023. Additionally, Executive Order 13960, which promotes trustworthy AI in the federal government, mandates that DHS maintain an inventory of AI use cases, potentially offering contract opportunities for businesses.

For companies eager to contribute to AI innovation, DHS’s S&T Directorate provides numerous opportunities for industry engagement, including requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (RFPs), grant announcements, and partnership opportunities, particularly for small businesses and startups.