Lawfare Daily: DHS Assistant Secretary Mary Ellen Callahan on AI Threats
Jul 15, 2024
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Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Mary Ellen discusses the DHS's report on AI threats and CBRN risks. The conversation explores gaps in regulations, efforts to enhance AI expertise in government, and the importance of addressing potential misuse of AI in national security and biodefense. The podcast also touches on the role of AI in threat detection and regulation, highlighting the need for incremental changes to mitigate risks effectively.
The DHS report highlights the need for upskilling in AI expertise to address CBRN threats.
Collaborative efforts with AI labs aim to minimize risks in combating CBRN threats through safety and security standards.
Deep dives
Addressing the Misuse of AI for Weapons of Mass Destruction
The podcast delves into the DHS's report on AI's potential misuses leading to the production of CBRN threats, emphasizing collaboration to mitigate risks and prevent the creation of novel pathogens. The report highlights the comprehensive approach taken, including research, engagement with AI labs, and the upskilling needed to navigate the AI-WMD domain.
Engagement with AI Labs and Voluntary Commitments
AI labs have shown receptiveness towards minimizing CBRN threats through safety and security standards post-executive order. Ongoing engagement with labs aims to tackle the novel issue of AI in combating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, promoting safety and responsibility within these research communities.
Mitigating AI Risks and Implementation Plans
Efforts are aimed at mitigating risks by providing guidance to large language model developers, emphasizing the need to limit data access for CBRN threats. A collaborative approach is undertaken to develop an implementation plan with interagency cooperation to ensure compliance with voluntary commitments.
Building Consensus on AI Risks and Regulatory Efforts
The necessity of consensus building on AI risks is highlighted. The report underscores the importance of AI regulation within existing frameworks, focusing on enhancements to biological and chemical security regulations. The collaborative approach with Congress and international allies is crucial in addressing AI threats effectively.
Mary Ellen Callahan, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, joins Kevin Frazier, a Tarbell Fellow at Lawfare, to discuss the DHS’s recently released report on the potential of AI to lead to the production of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. Assistant Secretary Callahan shares the origins of the report, its key findings, and DHS’s next steps. This conversation also explores pre-existing enforcement gaps in biological and chemical regulations and ongoing efforts to bolster AI expertise in the federal government. The DHS report is available here. More information on the AI Corps is available here.