Homeland Security to Hire 50 Experts for New “AI Corps”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to hire around 50 artificial intelligence (AI) experts in 2024.

The newly established DHS "AI Corps" draws inspiration from the U.S. Digital Service, assembling teams dedicated to responsibly leveraging this innovative technology across key areas of homeland security.

These strategic efforts include combating fentanyl, addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse, facilitating immigration services, ensuring travel security, bolstering critical infrastructure, and enhancing cybersecurity.

“As AI becomes more powerful and more accessible than ever before, the government needs the support and expertise of our country’s foremost AI experts to help ensure our continued ability to harness this technology responsibly, safeguard against its malicious use, and advance our critical homeland security mission,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N Mayorkas said.

The U.S. Government is already in the process of recruiting top AI talent across multiple federal agencies and has plans to scale hiring AI talent in 2024.

The hiring is expected to help the federal government in formulating regulations, integrating AI into government operations, and expediting research and development endeavors.

The Office of Personnel Management has authorized federal agencies with flexible hiring capabilities for securing AI talent, encompassing direct hire authorities and excepted service authorities.

Interestingly, this comes at a time when federal agencies are grappling with the task of broadening the federal talent pool with individuals proficient in AI research, development, procurement, and deployment.