The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed on April 26 the establishment of the AI Safety and Security Board, comprising 22 members, including executives from tech firms and specialists in the field.

Key figures on the board are Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei from Anthropic. Leading tech companies' heads, like Jensen Huang (NVIDIA), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Arvind Krishna (IBM), and Sundar Pichai (Alphabet and Google), are also part of this influential group.

The board boasts a diverse lineup featuring Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and experts from various sectors within and outside the AI domain. This inclusive mix encompasses critical infrastructure operators, public figures, civil rights advocates, and academics, demonstrating a comprehensive effort to address AI safety and security matters.

DHS AI SAFETY BOARD TO CONVENE IN MAY FOR INAUGURAL MEETING

The upcoming inaugural meeting of the DHS AI Safety and Security Board, scheduled for May, will play a crucial role in advising the Department of Homeland Security on ensuring the safe and responsible implementation of AI technologies, while actively mitigating associated risks.

This strategic initiative focuses on AI applications across 16 key sectors of critical infrastructure, spanning defense, energy, agriculture, transportation, and internet technology domains.

The board's formation aligns closely with findings from the DHS's 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment, which underscored the potential for AI to be exploited in sophisticated cyber attacks against US infrastructure. It also complements the department's Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, outlining strategies to leverage AI in homeland security operations while safeguarding individual privacy, rights, and civil liberties.

The establishment of the AI safety board follows the executive order on AI safety issued by the Biden administration in October 2023. This directive tasked Mayorkas with establishing the board and implementing additional directives for the DHS and the wider US government.

In parallel efforts, US federal agencies are actively appointing chief AI officers and establishing AI governance boards to enhance AI integration and governance practices. Additionally, the DHS is embarking on a dedicated "hiring sprint" to recruit AI experts swiftly, facilitating the rapid deployment of AI and machine learning technologies to combat criminal activities and address homeland security threats effectively.