AI’s Role in Critical Infrastructure
In recent years, companies managing critical infrastructure have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their operations. For instance, airports are now utilizing AI technologies within their security systems, while water utilities employ AI to predict and prevent potential pipe failures. Additionally, energy companies rely on AI to accurately forecast demand, ensuring a stable supply of resources.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to unveil new guidelines aimed at regulating the use of AI within these essential sectors. This document, which compiles a set of voluntary best practices, is a direct outcome of an executive order signed by President Biden over a year ago. This order was designed to establish protective measures surrounding AI technology, particularly in its application to critical infrastructure.
Among the various initiatives outlined in the executive order, one directive mandated the DHS to assemble a board comprising experts from both the private and public sectors. This board’s objective is to evaluate and recommend strategies for safeguarding critical infrastructure against the diverse risks associated with AI, which range from operational disruptions in airlines to the potential exposure of sensitive personal data.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas convened the board for the first time in May. Notable members include:
- Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
- Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia
- Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet
- Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum
Given the extensive array of companies represented by these executives, the guidance document is somewhat broad in its recommendations. It encourages cloud service providers, such as Amazon, to actively monitor for suspicious activity and establish clear protocols for reporting any anomalies. Furthermore, it advises developers, including companies like OpenAI, to implement robust privacy practices and proactively identify and address potential biases within their systems. For owners and operators of critical infrastructure, such as airlines, the guidance emphasizes the importance of strong privacy practices and transparency regarding their use of AI technologies.
In a recent interview, Secretary Mayorkas expressed his aspiration for a widespread adoption of this framework by other companies. Although the 35-page document refrains from proposing formal metrics for companies to measure their compliance with the guidelines, it does encourage legislators to bolster companies’ internal oversight mechanisms through regulatory measures—an acknowledgment that President Biden recognized as essential when he issued his executive order.
“It’s a broad acknowledgment that we’re all responsible for our individual contributions to AI and the technology,” stated Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines and a board member. “It’s something that, as the end user, we’ve been victims of candidly in the past.”
