Indian-origin executives / Official potrait

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the formation of an Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (the Board) aimed at steering the safe and secure integration of AI technology within the United States’ critical infrastructure. 

As per the official announcement, the board comprises 22 distinguished individuals representing various sectors, including technology, academia, policymaking, and civil rights advocacy.

Among the inaugural members are several Indian Americans leaders namely Arvind Krishna, chairman and CEO, IBM, Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft, Shantanu Narayen, chair and CEO, Adobe, Sundar Pichai, CEO, Alphabet, Arati Prabhakar, assistant to the president for science and technology; director, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

The establishment of the board comes in response to the DHS Homeland Threat Assessment of 2024, which highlights the evolving threats posed by AI-assisted tools to the nation's critical infrastructure. 

Shantanu Narayen, Chair & CEO of Adobe, expressed the company's commitment to advancing AI technology responsibly, stating, “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.”

Arvind Krishna, emphasised the importance of AI in enhancing the nation’s security. He said, “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.”

Satya Nadella, stressed the need for safe and responsible AI deployment, “Artificial Intelligence is the most transformative technology of our time, and we must ensure it is deployed safely and responsibly.”

Secretary Mayorkas lauded the expertise and dedication of the Board members, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping AI policy. He stated, “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.”