CISA publishes AI roadmap to support security, competitiveness of American cities and counties

The advent of artificial intelligence poses technical, ethical, political and security challenges for American local governments of all sizes. As AI becomes more prevalent and pervasive with each year that passes, the federal government is taking proactive steps now to avert future crises. A key part of that initiative is a new plan called the “Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

Led by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infastructure Security Agency (CISA), the roadmap is central to a “broader whole-of-government effort to ensure the secure development and implementation of artificial intelligence capabilities,” a statement from CISA says about the effort. It is the result of an executive order issued last month by Pres. Joe Biden directing the department to create AI safety standards, protect U.S. networks and critical infrastructure, combat AI-related intellectual property theft, and attract and retain skilled talent. 

“DHS has a broad leadership role in advancing the responsible use of AI and this cybersecurity roadmap is one important element of our work,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. “In last month’s Executive Order, the president called on DHS to promote the adoption of AI safety standards globally and help ensure the safe, secure, and responsible use and development of AI. CISA’s roadmap lays out the steps that the agency will take as part of our Department’s broader efforts to both leverage AI and mitigate its risks to our critical infrastructure and cyber defenses.”

The roadmap outlines five key areas of strategic focus related to AI: responsible uses of it in government missions; assessing the security of AI systems; protecting critical infrastructure; collaboration across domestic and international agencies, and the public; and expanding AI expertise within the American workforce.

Modern-day security challenges associated with AI are similar to those encountered under previous generations of software, which manufacturers did not build to be secure by design, putting the burden of security on the customer, the roadmap says. To mitigate vulnerabilities, the report calls on manufactures to make security against AI a top priority, and to take ownership of security outcomes.

The report notes that CISA will use AI-driven tools to ensure the digital safety of the nation’s infrastructure, and to promote its ethical usage throughout the nation.

“Artificial Intelligence holds immense promise in enhancing our nation’s cybersecurity, but as the most powerful technology of our lifetimes, it also presents enormous risks,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly in the statement. The roadmap focuses on “the nexus of AI, cyber defense, and critical infrastructure, sets forth an agency-wide plan to promote the beneficial uses of AI to enhance cybersecurity capabilities; ensure AI systems are protected from cyber-based threats; and deter the malicious use of AI capabilities to threaten the critical infrastructure Americans rely on every day.” 

To access and review the roadmap, visit cisa.gov/AI.