The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken significant steps to develop artificial intelligence (AI) policies and oversight mechanisms, but challenges persist in ensuring responsible and secure AI use, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
The report acknowledges DHS’s efforts to regulate AI within its operations, including the issuance of AI-specific guidance, the appointment of a Chief AI Officer, and the establishment of multiple AI-focused working groups and a dedicated AI Task Force. Additionally, DHS has formulated an AI strategy to align its AI initiatives across the agency.
However, the OIG found that DHS has not fully implemented its AI strategy due to the absence of a comprehensive execution plan. This shortfall raises concerns about whether DHS can effectively monitor and manage AI compliance, particularly in areas related to privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. The report highlights that resource constraints have hindered the agency’s ability to establish robust governance frameworks.
Moreover, while DHS has implemented processes to track and report its AI usage to the public, these efforts lack the necessary mechanisms to fully capture and validate the data required for federal AI reporting. The OIG determined that DHS and its components do not have a formalized process to review and verify the accuracy of AI-related data, limiting transparency and accountability.
Without sustained improvements in AI governance, the OIG warns that DHS risks failing to safeguard public rights and privacy, as well as maintain compliance with federal AI regulations.
Read the full report from the OIG here.