AI is revolutionizing how the Department of Homeland Security performs its core mission: protecting the nation from its adversaries. By integrating advanced AI tools into missions such as threat detection, cybersecurity, border security and emergency response, the DHS is enhancing its ability to anticipate, identify and counter adversarial actors in real time.
From predictive analytics that flag potential cyberattacks to autonomous systems that strengthen border monitoring, AI is reshaping the DHS’ operational landscape. It’s making national security efforts faster, smarter and more adaptive to the evolving tactics of those who seek to undermine U.S. safety.
Let’s dive into the five biggest ways AI is bolstering U.S. homeland security and what GovCons need to know about this transformative technology. Check out the first part of our series on how AI is transforming U.S. homeland security.
Dig into the latest ways DHS is leveraging AI in homeland security missions at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12! Learn about new AI investment priorities directly from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her keynote address. Be the first to learn about new business opportunities in our five (!) panel discussions on AI. Tickets are in short supply. Secure your seat today!
1. Enhancing Border Security
Customs and Border Protection has been on the leading edge of AI use in DHS for the last five years. The agency has recently been leveraging Google’s Vertex AI system to search across a vast array of data sources and combine them into one entity, according to FedScoop.
It’s always been difficult for CBP to quickly get data to border patrol agents working in remote locations, such as in Arizona along the U.S.-Mexico border. But CBP is benefiting from using edge AI, which computes data on devices and performs at a higher level in isolated areas. This is instead of using cloud AI, which needs reliable internet and external services to perform as expected.
Hear directly from top industry experts on how AI is improving border security at the 2025 Homeland Security Summit’s “AI in Action: Driving Efficiencies at the Border” panel discussion on Nov. 12! Dive into exclusive insights to bolster your proposals from panelist Jenna Bradford, Amazon Web Services senior account executive.
CBP is also using AI-powered video applications at ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border to fight contraband and evaluate threats. The agency uses an intelligent-computer-assisted detection system that uses video and photos taken by field imaging equipment to provide officers with intelligence. CBP also uses AI machine vision capabilities to identify suspicious vehicles and monitor streaming video.
2. Improving Airport Security
U.S. airports are using AI in security in a variety of ways, including leveraging computer vision algorithms with security cameras or using AI to reduce the number of machines required for security, Forbes has reported.
Airports are using AI at security checkpoints because they have lots of data about luggage. This allows airport security professionals to be more predictive and proactive about how they handle both baggage and luggage security in aviation.
The vast amount of data airports have on luggage allows them to iterate quickly with AI and implement it in daily operations. Airport professionals test AI in their labs to evaluate scenarios and refine algorithms. They then transition to the airport itself, where they test the AI software with real passengers and customer service agents.
This approach allows airport security officials to move quickly from efforts that aren’t working to those that have promise, potentially saving lots of time from being wasted.
3. Fighting Cyber Threats
The increasing sophistication and scale of cyber weapons against U.S. infrastructure is calling for AI-enhanced systems and tools to bolster U.S. cyber defenses. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are studying the leveraging of AI-powered autonomous cyber operations for crucial infrastructure defense.
Experts are developing community “leaderboards” for analyzing realistic AI-driven attack programs against real-world AI defense systems. These researchers are creating foundational algorithmic and system capabilities that will allow users to develop realistic cyber ranges and test, design and execute new defense and attack strategies.
These CMU researchers have found the needs for:
- Developing a nationwide innovation and research strategy in autonomous cyber defenses
- Investing in research foundations to better comprehend the limits and capabilities of cutting-edge AI models as autonomous weapons
- Creating real world datasets, testbeds and benchmarks to properly evaluate the effectiveness of defense strategies against attack strategies
Learn more about applying advanced AI from commercial innovation to national security missions at the 2025 Homeland Security Summit’s “From Lab to Launch: Advanced AI Applications in National Security” panel discussion on Nov. 12! Get actionable insights from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Chief Information Officer Robert Costello you won’t get anywhere else.
4. Combating Online Child Exploitation
A worldwide governing body is leading the way to show law enforcement agencies how to leverage AI to fight online child exploitation. According to the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, AI can be used to target and remove child exploitation material online faster, more efficiently and more precisely than relying solely on human moderators.
As an example, AI algorithms analyze video and photo content and identify potentially harmful material for further inspection by humans. This minimizes the workload for human moderators and accelerates the detection and removal of harmful content. Dive into innovative ways AI is used with commercial off-the-shelf technologies in homeland security missions at the 2025 Homeland Security Summit’s “Mission Ready: AI and COTS Powering DHS Innovation” panel discussion on Nov. 12!
UNICRI said AI is being used by law enforcement to fight child exploitative material in other ways:
- Natural language processing can identify and instantly flag predatory user behavior on social media and sites that are typically used for child-friendly activities, such as gaming
- Image recognition can pre-classify exploitative imagery for human review by automatically detecting age and nudity
- Object, face and voice recognition can help identify perpetrators, victims and other important details to link pieces of evidence together
5. Supporting Disaster Survivors
The stakes are high for disaster victims as they often have their homes destroyed and lack access to food and clean water. AI programs have the potential to help disaster victims restore their lives faster than previously possible.
Computer vision models using unmanned aircraft or satellite imagery can evaluate damage and help find survivors, according to a RAND report. When hurricanes Milton and Helene hit Florida and North Carolina in 2024, GiveDirectly, a non-profit organization, used a Google-created AI tool to find areas with large concentrations of poverty and storm damage and deliver $1,000 in cash to impacted households.
Robots in testing have been deployed in simulated missions to save survivors. UAS can detect radiation after a disaster in areas too hazardous for humans. AI programs can identify fraud and abuse to make sure aid gets to the people who need it most.
