The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is launching a hiring push to recruit 50 new artificial intelligence (AI) experts this year, as announced on Tuesday. This move aims to establish an AI Corps within the department, similar to the U.S. Digital Service at the White House, to focus on AI projects across various agency initiatives. The DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer will house this new corps.
According to Eric Hysen, the DHS’s CIO and chief AI officer, this recruitment effort is urgent and aimed at attracting tech experts to join the federal government. The department plans to expedite the hiring process by leveraging flexible government hiring authorities for AI.
This hiring initiative comes in the wake of a comprehensive executive order on AI issued by the White House, which provided directives for agencies on using and regulating the technology. Strengthening the government’s AI expertise through new hires and training is crucial for the success of various initiatives, experts say.
DHS is seeking candidates with expertise in product development, integration, as well as AI and machine learning technology. The selected candidates will be hired remotely at the GS-15 level. The department does not require prior government experience or a traditional government-style resume.
The creation of the new AI Corps follows the establishment of the DHS AI Task Force last year. This task force has been focused on addressing issues such as fentanyl trafficking, supply chain cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, and combating child exploitation.
DHS already utilizes AI in certain areas, such as employing a machine learning model at Customs and Border Protection to identify suspicious patterns in vehicle crossings and to flag cars requiring secondary reviews at entry ports. These efforts aim to reduce the influx of drugs like fentanyl. Additionally, AI is being used across the agency to identify victims and perpetrators of sexual exploitation and assist in disaster relief through image processing.
In a statement, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the importance of AI experts in responsible technology harnessing, combating malicious use, and advancing the department’s homeland security mission.
Mayorkas and Hysen launched the hiring push in Mountain View, California, on Tuesday, collaborating with the DHS customer experience office to generate interest in the recruitment effort.
The DHS’s initiative to establish an AI Corps highlights the growing significance of AI in government operations. By attracting top AI talent, the department is aiming to effectively respond to emerging challenges and leverage the potential of this transformative technology.
