Dr. Jason Ackleson, of the Science and Technology Directorate’s Operations and Requirements Analysis Division, detailed how AI is being prioritized in innovation, research and development (IRD) strategic plans across the division in a January 15 webinar. Masu.
Last year, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) released its first IRD strategic plan after more than a year of coordination across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The plan is a comprehensive blueprint for the Department’s research and development priorities, with the ultimate goal of leveraging innovation and technology to strengthen the overall security posture.
We worked with headquarters, components, and offices across DHS to develop an inventory of IRD activities. Incorporate relevant strategies and guidance from across the larger Homeland Security enterprise. Assess future trends, risks, challenges and threats. Lead department-wide futures workshops. This effort resulted in the strategic plan linked above. This will guide investment in the IRD over the next five years and ensure resources are aligned to build capacity to meet the most urgent and complex mission needs. The coordinated activities defined in this plan will improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, drive priorities across the department, and respond to the evolving threat and hazard landscape.
S&T is currently working on implementing its strategic plan by developing an investment roadmap for each priority research area. These roadmaps will guide resource allocation and allow the Department to optimize both cost savings and impact on homeland security and support for first responders. Next week, we’ll be working with HSWERX, a nonprofit organization that connects DHS and industry to identify homeland security technology solutions, and we’ll dig into AI and autonomous systems, one of our key roadmap priorities for 2025. The strategic plan highlights AI as one of the focuses of DHS’s IRD investments over the next five years, focusing on areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics.
Join us on Wednesday, January 15th at 10am for a webinar focused on AI for decision-making and predictive analytics. S&T and HSWERX explore how AI can enhance DHS operations across mission areas and monitor and respond to emerging risks. Monitor adversarial AI in real time. This presentation is part of an ongoing series showcasing various roadmaps throughout the year.
Learn more about the IRD Strategic Plan’s investment priorities and collaboration with S&T and HSWERX. For more information on upcoming presentations, please visit the HSWERX Strategic Research and Development Webinar Series page.
