Several Indian Americans in top Department of Homeland Security AI board

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The Department of Homeland Security announced April 26, 2024, the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (the Board). Several Indian Americans are on the Board among the 22 members named so far. They include :

• Rumman Chowdhury, Ph.D., CEO, Humane Intelligence
• Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM
• Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft
• Shantanu Narayen, Chair and CEO, Adobe
• Sundar Pichai, CEO, Alphabet
• Arati Prabhakar, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for Science and Technology; Director, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

In October 2023, the President had directed Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to establish the Board, and the launch is viewed as a key step in responding to the rapid emergence of AI technology.

Shantanu Narayen, Chair & CEO, Adobe, said, “Adobe is honored to be a part of the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board to share learnings and recommendations with Secretary Mayorkas and key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. This Board holds enormous potential to advance AI technology, establishing guidelines that will help AI enhance and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure while mitigating any risks it could pose.”

Rumman Chowdhury, Ph.D., CEO, Humane Intelligence, is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard, an Affliate at Cambridge, and visiting researcher at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering. She said, “Grappling with the implications of Artificial intelligence on critical infrastructure is necessary to ensure equitable and tangible benefits of this technology to all Americans. Humane Intelligence is looking forward to engaging on these timely issues.”

Arvind Krishna, chairman and CEO, IBM, is quoted saying, “Artificial intelligence is a game-changing technology that is making businesses smarter, stronger, and safer. AI’s ability to analyze threat information at scale can help protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, an imperative that I look forward to advancing as a member of the AI Safety and Security Board.”

Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft, said, “Artificial Intelligence is the most transformative technology of our time, and we must ensure it is deployed safely and responsibly. Microsoft is honored to participate in this important effort and looks forward to sharing both our learnings to date, and our plans going forward. We thank Secretary Mayorkas for including us in this important endeavor and look forward to the continued partnership.”

Arati Prabhakar, assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said, “AI is one of the most powerful technologies of our time. President Biden has made clear that we must manage AI’s risks so that we can seize its benefits. Thanks to Secretary Mayorkas for taking action to protect America’s critical infrastructure—our energy system, banking, health care, and communications—from AI risks and harms.”

The Board is tasked with advising the Secretary of Homeland Security, as well as the critical infrastructure community, other private sector stakeholders, and the broader public on the safe and secure development and deployment of AI technology in the nation’s critical infrastructure, and to protect it from foreign threats.

It is expected to develop recommendations on how to more responsibly leverage AI technologies, to help critical infrastructure stakeholders, such as transportation service providers, pipeline and power grid operators, and internet service providers. It will also develop recommendations to prevent and prepare for AI-related disruptions to critical services that impact national or economic security, public health, or safety.

The Board will also help DHS stay ahead of evolving threats posed by hostile nation-state actors like China, and reinforce national security by helping to deter and prevent those threats.

“Artificial Intelligence is a transformative technology that can advance our national interests in unprecedented ways. At the same time, it presents real risks— risks that we can mitigate by adopting best practices and taking other studied, concrete actions,” said Secretary Mayorkas.  “I am grateful that such accomplished leaders are dedicating their time and expertise to the Board to help ensure our nation’s critical infrastructure—the vital services upon which Americans rely every day—effectively guards against the risks and realizes the enormous potential of this transformative technology.”