New Hires Will Help DHS Responsibly Leverage New Technology and Mitigate Risks Across the Homeland Security Enterprise
WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Chief AI Officer Eric Hysen announced the first 10 members of the “AI Corps,” the Department of Homeland Security’s first-ever sprint to recruit 50 Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology experts. The new hires will play pivotal roles responsibly leveraging AI across strategic mission areas, including countering fentanyl trafficking, combatting online child sexual exploitation and abuse, delivering immigration services, fortifying critical infrastructure, and enhancing cybersecurity.
The AI Corps brings a range of professional backgrounds to DHS, including from the private sector and academia. The 10 inaugural AI Corps hires are technology experts with backgrounds in AI and machine learning (ML), data science, data engineering, program and product management, software engineering, cybersecurity, and the safe, responsible use of these technologies. Their collective experience and commitment to public service exemplify the high caliber of candidates the Department continues to attract. The hires are:
Sadaf Asrar was an AI Technology expert for the National Center for Education Statistics, responsible for analyzing performance results from the Nation’s Report Card to deepen our understanding of what students know and can do in the United States. In his role as Director of Data Science at Optimal Solutions, he also built complex data products for agencies such as the SBA, USAID, and the USDA.
Zach Fasnacht was previously a Senior Manager of Product Management at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a Lead AI/ML Product Manager at Allstate Insurance, and a Digital Projects Coordinator at the Library of Congress.
Pramod Gadde was a machine learning lead and founder of several healthcare-related startups, including Confidante that used conversational AI to address gaps in mental healthcare.
Sean Harvey was former Group Product Manager at Google where he served as the lead on YouTube’s Trust and Safety team focused on global elections and combatting misinformation.
Jenny Kim was Principal Product Manager at McKinsey & Company leading development of machine learning solutions for U.S. defense and healthcare clients.
Babatunde Oguntade served as Senior Principal Data Scientist at CACI International supporting agencies like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Christine Palmer served as Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Naval Observatory overseeing critical network operations.
Dr. Stephen Quirolgico has over 25 years in government research focusing on artificial intelligence among other fields.
Raquel Romano joins with experience from Fora as Senior Director of Engineering among other roles.
Robin L. Rosenberger was Director of Interagency IT initiatives in DOD’s Chief Digital Office.
“Our Department is at the forefront of harnessing AI’s potential to achieve its mission,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “We are excited to onboard our first group of AI experts to begin work on our new AI Corps.”
DHS also announced Michael Boyce as Director of the DHS AI Corps. Boyce helped write sections on federal use of generative AI in President Biden's Executive Order on Safe Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
“I’m honored to join this team alongside such talented individuals; this is just the beginning,” said Boyce.
Secretary Mayorkas and Chief Hysen initiated this recruitment drive in February with an event in Mountain View, CA.
"The new talent joining DHS will help empower our workforce," said Hysen.
In April 2023, DHS established its first AI Task Force led by Hysen to enhance mission areas like supply chain integrity. By March 2024, DHS introduced its “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap” outlining plans to advance homeland security missions responsibly.
These efforts follow President Biden’s Executive Order signed in October 2023 which directed DHS to promote global adoption of AI safety standards among other missions.
To learn more about applying for DHS's AI Corps or how DHS uses AI technologies visit their website.
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