FACT SHEET: DHS Completes First Phase of AI Technology Pilots, Hires New AI Corps Members, Furthers Efforts for Safe and Secure AI Use and Development

Technology

The Department Continues to Lead in the Integration of AI for its Missions While Combatting its Adversarial Use One Year After President Biden’s Landmark Executive OrderWASHINGTON – In the year since President Biden issued his landmark Executive Order (EO) 14110, “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken bold action to responsibly leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance the homeland security mission. As directed by the President, DHS has deepened its commitment to protecting individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties; promoting national AI safety and security; and strengthening AI leadership through innovation and strong partnerships. As AI technology rapidly reshapes our world, DHS will continue to advance international cooperation in an effort to enhance global awareness and response to the threats as well as our ability to harness its potential.To learn more about DHS’s work in AI, visit the Artificial Intelligence at DHS webpage.Successfully Tested the Effectiveness of 3 AI Pilot Programs, While Protecting Civil Rights, Privacy, and Civil LibertiesIn March 2024, DHS became the first federal agency to roll out a comprehensive “AI Roadmap” to integrate the technology into a variety of uses. The AI Roadmap announced three Generative AI (GenAI) pilots to test the effectiveness of GenAI solutions and their potential to enhance mission specific capabilities in a safe, responsible, and effective way. These pilot programs were housed in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).By October 2024, DHS has successfully tested these pilot programs, while protecting civil rights, privacy, and civil liberties. The Department gained valuable insights into the real-life impact of GenAI tools as well as their limitations. Learnings from these pilots will help guide the development and deployment of other AI tools throughout the Department.USCIS: Improving Training Capacity and Experience – The USCIS pilot introduced a training application that allowed immigration officers to interact with the GenAI tool to practice conducting an interview with a refugee/asylum seeker. The USCIS pilot successfully supplemented officers’ training by giving them opportunities to practice eliciting testimony. Officers gave positive reviews for the program’s ease-of-use and the ability to access it on their own schedule. Based on the success of the pilot, USCIS and DHS are looking at how GenAI can be used in other training scenarios as a supplemental tool to better prepare the next generation of DHS officers. The USCIS pilot is only used in officer training and is not used for immigration eligibility determinations. HSI: Strengthening Investigative Processes – HSI’s pilot focused on utilizing large language models (LLMs) to produce summaries of HSI-approved law enforcement reports to bolster investigative processes and optimize the efficiency and precision of investigative summaries. It also enabled semantic search, a search engine technology that interprets the meaning of words and phrases to enable law enforcement officers to search through millions of reports easily. The pilot showed that these were valuable tools to enhance investigative processes. The HSI pilot, which was developed using an open-source AI model, found that open-source models provided the flexibility necessary to experiment and measure effectiveness. HSI professionals continue to test and optimize the use of open-source models in supporting law enforcement investigations. FEMA: Increasing Community Resilience – Communities can help build their resilience to emergencies by developing hazard mitigation plans, but these plans can be challenging and time consuming to produce, particularly for communities that lack sufficient resources. FEMA’s pilot used a LLM to help state and local governments generate draft plans customized to meet their needs and understand risks and mitigation strategies. FEMA learned that increasing user understanding of AI and receiving feedback directly from community users is an important first step to integrating GenAI into any existing process. FEMA is using lessons learned from the pilot to help determine how the technology can best support their mission.Hired 31 New Experts to the “AI Corps” Who are Helping Responsibly Leverage AI Across DHS Mission AreasAs part of the Department’s “AI Corps” hiring sprint, DHS has onboarded 31 technology experts since February 15. This effort remains one of the most significant AI-talent recruitment initiatives of any federal civilian agency. To date, these experts have provided critical technical support and conducted extensive evaluations across multiple priority projects, significantly advancing the understanding and application of AI technologies within DHS.The AI Corps partnered with the DHS Supply Chain Resilience Center (SCRC) to investigate how AI could be used to forecast the impacts of critical supply chain disruptions to public safety and security. This sprint included requirements development, use case mapping, market research, and system demonstrations. The AI Corps was able to guide the SCRC on the path to evaluate the technical landscape and provide recommendations to support mission needs. Members from the AI Corps supported the HSI GenAI pilot in creating a first-of-its-kind LLM-powered tool to search and produce summaries of HSI approved law enforcement reports and information that is obtained through the standard legal process. The team provided technical expertise to incorporate the latest approaches in advanced AI search and generative summaries. This preliminary work was crucial in demonstrating the potential of the technology.Collaborated with the AI Board to Provide Guidance on Safe and Secure Development and Deployment of AI Technology in U.S. Critical InfrastructureAt the request of the President, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas established the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (the Board) to advise the Secretary, the critical infrastructure community, other private sector stakeholders, and the broader public on the safe and secure development and deployment of AI technology in our nation’s critical infrastructure. Officially launched in April, the Board announced a membership of 23 representatives from a range of sectors, including software and hardware companies, critical infrastructure operators, public officials, the civil rights community, and academia.Secretary Mayorkas convened the Board three times since May 2024. The Department with the Board’s close consultation have been developing guidance to improve AI safety and security across the AI ecosystem. The deployment of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI generates consumer trust and fuels adoption and innovation. AI can substantially improve the services the nation’s critical infrastructure provides if we secure systems against safety and security threats.Defended against AI-enabled Cyber threats to U.S. Critical InfrastructureTo protect U.S. networks and critical infrastructure, DHS is adapting and incorporating the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework and other appropriate guidance into actionable guidelines for use by critical infrastructure owners and operators. DHS and the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published “Safety and Security Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators” in April 2024 to address cross-sector AI risks that impact the safety and security of critical infrastructure systems and their functions. DHS and CISA developed these guidelines in coordination with the Department of Commerce, the Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs), and other critical infrastructure sector regulators, and have continued to develop and publish additional best practices at the intersection of AI and cyber defense. To aid in the detection and remediation of vulnerabilities in critical U.S. Government software, systems, and networks, CISA also completed a pilot for AI-enabled vulnerability detection and provided a report on the pilot to the White House in July 2024.Provided Technical Expertise to Counter Threats from Adversarial AIp Under the EO, the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), in partnership with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is working to counter chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological (CBRN) threats enabled by AI systems. DHS delivered a report to the President that examines and provides recommendations on how to better understand and mitigate the risk of AI being misused to assist in the development or use of CBRN. This report, released to the public in June, identifies the trends in AI and types of AI models, including foundation models and Biological Design Tools, that might present or intensify biological and chemical threats to the United States. It offers recommendations to mitigate potential threats to national security in the training, deployment, publication, and use of AI models and associated data. as well as underscoring the vital role of safety evaluations and whole-of-community guardrails.CWMD also developed a strategy to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of synthetic nucleic acid synthesis screening, helping to prevent the misuse of AI for engineering dangerous biological materials. Working closely with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, DHS will help advance safety in this important industry. CWMD and S&T will also support the Department of Commerce’s AI Safety Institute in evaluating CBRN risks from AI systems, ensuring DHS’s unique expertise in these areas are a part of AI Safety Institute’s effort to promote AI safety.– In accordance with the DHS’ Compliance Plan for OMB Memorandum M-24-10, the Department will continue its work to advance AI governance and innovation while managing risks from the use of AI in the Federal Government, particularly those affecting the rights and safety of the public.

Udupi: Mount Rosary English School, science club organizes model exhibition

Science and Health

Media Release Udupi, Oct 30: Mount Rosary English School, Santhekatte, science club organized science model exhibition and an ancient artifacts exhibition. Mansi Shet, alumnus of Mount Rosary English School and currently a lecturer at City Hospital inaugurated the exhibition in her inaugural note stated that, Today’s students are more interested in learning by doing rather…

Scientist detained in Kharkiv for assisting Russians in enhancing Shahed drones

Science and Health

A scientist from a university in Kharkiv has been detained for developing blueprints and performing calculations to enhance kamikaze drones and their launch systems at the request of the Russian military.
Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), Prosecutor’s General Office of Ukraine
Details: A 72-year-old mechanical scientist was reportedly creating blueprints to improve Shahed kamikaze drones, branded as Geran-2. His work was focused on upgrading the engines and catapult launch systems. Advertisement:

Investigators report that he shared these technical developments remotely with a contact, the CEO of a Russian machinery plant producing drone components.
The scientist communicated with his Russian associates through email and a messaging app, disguising their collaboration as academic research on UAVs. 
The investigation revealed that he had enlisted a former student to assist with the project – a student who had fled from Kharkiv Oblast to Russia at the onset of the full-scale war.
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The scientist took a position at Moscow Technological University, where he developed drones for the Russian armed forces. 
The SSU’s counter-intelligence operatives documented the Kharkiv scientist’s crimes and detained him at his home in Kharkiv. 
During the searches, they seized computer equipment, a mobile phone, and flash drives containing evidence of subversive activities supporting Russia. 
SSU investigators have served the detainee with a notice of suspicion under Article 111-2.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (aiding a state aggressor). 
The court has ordered his arrest, and he faces a potential 12-year prison sentence along with confiscation of his property. 
Additionally, plans are underway to serve a notice of suspicion to his associate – a former student from Kharkiv University who is currently hiding in Russia – in absentia, the SSU said.
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Fabulous, Fun, Flavorful Ideas For You From ‘Wine & Travel Italy’

Travel

Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinLa Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) is joyously pursued in Wine & Travel Italy, an intoxicatingly sumptuous and substantial (10-by-13-inch, five-pound, 304-page) coffee-table book released October 24 by luxury publisher Assouline. Authored by wine industry expert, Italian-born Enrico Bernardo, this alluring look at Italy’s landscapes, lore, loves and libations is his second tantalizing Assouline tome this month; his other new hardcover is Wine & Travel France. Bernardo has globe-trotted for more than 30 years on countless palate-pleasing adventures; created and owned Michelin-star restaurants; consulted for wine and food companies; and penned ambitious works such as The Impossible Collection of Wine (2016), The Wisdom of Wine: A Gourmet Book, An Ode to Life (2021) and The Impossible Collection of Champagne (2022).

.© Assouline
“Since birth, Italian culture has run in my veins,” says Bernardo. “No matter where I go, my ancestral roots have given me lifelong Italian reflexes. A coffee in the morning at the counter of a bar in Naples; a Bellini on the Piazza San Marco in Venice; a chic dinner in Milan; fried calamari on a Sardinian beach; a gelato enjoyed while out for a walk in Sicily; a pizza in Rome: These are the culinary experiences that soothed me in childhood, educated me in adolescence and continue to expand my horizons to this day.”
Chefs choose ingredients from the garden at Villa d’Este, a grand hotel in Cernobbio.© Stefano Scatà; stefanoscata.com
More than 400 photographs and illustrations illuminate Italy’s unique charisma. Grin at images of Italians savoring pastas, pizzas, cheeses, breads, olives, seafood, vivid veggies—feast after feast. Gasp in delight at sweeping verdant scenery; many outdoor shots are so ethereal, even magical, that they beckon readers to gawk at length. Peek at wineries’ bounties of barrels, stacked in neat, colossal configurations. Gaze at crystal-clear blue waters, bright shorelines, scores of boats and ships and enticing smiles of passengers afloat.

Bathing beauties: Yacht moored at a property on the shores of stunning Lake Como.© Slim Aarons/Getty Images
Don’t miss the ancient temples, baroque churches, charming cucinas and cantinas, majestic villas, serene hideaways, one-of-a-kind shops and extraordinary artwork. Observe the treasured buzz of Italians socializing: dancers in traditional costumes at community celebrations; families regularly gathering to share platters of food on long tables; youthful flirting of sunbathers together under glorious skies.

“From the elegance of its cities to the simplicity of its rural life, the Italian character is always bold,” explains Bernardo. For armchair travelers and avid trip planners alike, Wine & Travel Italy evokes the spirit of Bel Paese (Beautiful Country), the popular poetical appellative for Italy. “For me, the entire Italian ‘boot’ is a land of friends, family, and a thousand years of history.”
Discover Italy’s Eternal PresencePicking herbs and flowers in Scena to garnish a home-cooked meal.© Stefano Scatà; stefanoscata.com
Italy is a marvel, opines Bernardo. “In Italy, to an unusual degree, the past never feels far away; it lies right before our eyes. The Colosseum in Rome or the ruins of Pompeii bring antiquity to life, just as Florence plunges us into the High Renaissance and Venice launches us on a dreamlike journey along the Silk Road. History, in its continuity and in all its layers…is in Italy an eternal presence.” Today, Italy draws tourists from all over the world. In 2023, 57.3 million travelers touched down in anticipation of being lifted up by Italy’s distinctive pleasures. “Italy is universally loved,” Bernardo enthuses.
Farmer Ponsiello Giovanni and wife Maria Aprea preparing Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio at their home in the Naples region.© Stefano Scatà; stefanoscata.com
In organizing his inviting info, Bernardo focuses on 12 harvest regions: The Alps, The Adriatic Coast, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Tuscany, The Veneto, Friuli, Piedmont, The South, Lazio and Umbria, The Italian Lakes, Liguria and Sardinia. “As is true of all the world’s wine-growing countries, Italy’s wines reflect its history and culture. Its winemaking traditions are richly nuanced, with thousands of small terroirs and vineyards whose varietals, appellations and soils appear ever more colorfully varied the better you get to know them.” Indeed, some of Italy’s wines are legendary. “Each region has its own flavors, its own light. Local specialties offer intense gustatory experiences,” emphasizes Bernardo.At a festival, showcasing farm customs.© Bahnmueller/imageBROKER/Shutterstock
Bernardo’s best list? He details his ideal wine cellar—featuring Italy’s most outstanding winemaking estates—with heady recommendations. “Think of it as a chart of dreams that might come true, dreams in which each bottle finds its perfect moment.” For yourself or your favorite Italophile, consider Wine & Travel Italy as a delicious holiday gift. Ciao!

Fabulous, Fun, Flavorful Ideas For You From ‘Wine & Travel Italy’

Travel

Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinLa Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) is joyously pursued in Wine & Travel Italy, an intoxicatingly sumptuous and substantial (10-by-13-inch, five-pound, 304-page) coffee-table book released October 24 by luxury publisher Assouline. Authored by wine industry expert, Italian-born Enrico Bernardo, this alluring look at Italy’s landscapes, lore, loves and libations is his second tantalizing Assouline tome this month; his other new hardcover is Wine & Travel France. Bernardo has globe-trotted for more than 30 years on countless palate-pleasing adventures; created and owned Michelin-star restaurants; consulted for wine and food companies; and penned ambitious works such as The Impossible Collection of Wine (2016), The Wisdom of Wine: A Gourmet Book, An Ode to Life (2021) and The Impossible Collection of Champagne (2022).

.© Assouline
“Since birth, Italian culture has run in my veins,” says Bernardo. “No matter where I go, my ancestral roots have given me lifelong Italian reflexes. A coffee in the morning at the counter of a bar in Naples; a Bellini on the Piazza San Marco in Venice; a chic dinner in Milan; fried calamari on a Sardinian beach; a gelato enjoyed while out for a walk in Sicily; a pizza in Rome: These are the culinary experiences that soothed me in childhood, educated me in adolescence and continue to expand my horizons to this day.”
Chefs choose ingredients from the garden at Villa d’Este, a grand hotel in Cernobbio.© Stefano Scatà; stefanoscata.com
More than 400 photographs and illustrations illuminate Italy’s unique charisma. Grin at images of Italians savoring pastas, pizzas, cheeses, breads, olives, seafood, vivid veggies—feast after feast. Gasp in delight at sweeping verdant scenery; many outdoor shots are so ethereal, even magical, that they beckon readers to gawk at length. Peek at wineries’ bounties of barrels, stacked in neat, colossal configurations. Gaze at crystal-clear blue waters, bright shorelines, scores of boats and ships and enticing smiles of passengers afloat.

Bathing beauties: Yacht moored at a property on the shores of stunning Lake Como.© Slim Aarons/Getty Images
Don’t miss the ancient temples, baroque churches, charming cucinas and cantinas, majestic villas, serene hideaways, one-of-a-kind shops and extraordinary artwork. Observe the treasured buzz of Italians socializing: dancers in traditional costumes at community celebrations; families regularly gathering to share platters of food on long tables; youthful flirting of sunbathers together under glorious skies.

“From the elegance of its cities to the simplicity of its rural life, the Italian character is always bold,” explains Bernardo. For armchair travelers and avid trip planners alike, Wine & Travel Italy evokes the spirit of Bel Paese (Beautiful Country), the popular poetical appellative for Italy. “For me, the entire Italian ‘boot’ is a land of friends, family, and a thousand years of history.”
Discover Italy’s Eternal PresencePicking herbs and flowers in Scena to garnish a home-cooked meal.© Stefano Scatà; stefanoscata.com
Italy is a marvel, opines Bernardo. “In Italy, to an unusual degree, the past never feels far away; it lies right before our eyes. The Colosseum in Rome or the ruins of Pompeii bring antiquity to life, just as Florence plunges us into the High Renaissance and Venice launches us on a dreamlike journey along the Silk Road. History, in its continuity and in all its layers…is in Italy an eternal presence.” Today, Italy draws tourists from all over the world. In 2023, 57.3 million travelers touched down in anticipation of being lifted up by Italy’s distinctive pleasures. “Italy is universally loved,” Bernardo enthuses.
Farmer Ponsiello Giovanni and wife Maria Aprea preparing Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio at their home in the Naples region.© Stefano Scatà; stefanoscata.com
In organizing his inviting info, Bernardo focuses on 12 harvest regions: The Alps, The Adriatic Coast, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Tuscany, The Veneto, Friuli, Piedmont, The South, Lazio and Umbria, The Italian Lakes, Liguria and Sardinia. “As is true of all the world’s wine-growing countries, Italy’s wines reflect its history and culture. Its winemaking traditions are richly nuanced, with thousands of small terroirs and vineyards whose varietals, appellations and soils appear ever more colorfully varied the better you get to know them.” Indeed, some of Italy’s wines are legendary. “Each region has its own flavors, its own light. Local specialties offer intense gustatory experiences,” emphasizes Bernardo.At a festival, showcasing farm customs.© Bahnmueller/imageBROKER/Shutterstock
Bernardo’s best list? He details his ideal wine cellar—featuring Italy’s most outstanding winemaking estates—with heady recommendations. “Think of it as a chart of dreams that might come true, dreams in which each bottle finds its perfect moment.” For yourself or your favorite Italophile, consider Wine & Travel Italy as a delicious holiday gift. Ciao!

Aral city presents autumn culture and tourism offerings

Travel

Cultural and tourism promotion staff for Aral named at the autumn travel launch ceremony in late October. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Themed galas, learning tours, gourmet food competitions, exhibitions and sales, cultural performances, and marathons are on the cards in Aral, a city in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
The activities aim to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the area and demonstrate its vibrancy as an emerging tourist destination.
At the recent autumn tourism launch ceremony, Ding Yiqiang, Aral Party secretary, said a great deal of importance has been attached to strengthening the development of cultural tourism, to creating new business models, and to exploring cultural tourism resources.
More tourists and cultural tourism businesses, both in and outside the region, have visited Aral, leading to significant progress in the cultural tourism sector, Ding said.
Travel agencies from Zhejiang province and the Xinjiang self-drive tourism association signed cooperation agreements to boost tourism in the city at the ceremony.

Letter: Science of climate change neutral

Science and Health

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Recently, a well-educated colleague of mine expressed his frustration with the media, wishing they would stop injecting politics into the coverage of recent hurricanes. At first glance, I thought we were on the same page. In fact, I had previously written to the Tribune-Star voicing similar concerns. However, after further discussion, it became clear that we meant entirely different things. While we both disliked the politicization of hurricanes, I strongly disagreed with his perspective.To him, the “politics” being brought into the hurricane coverage referred to the media’s discussions about climate change — science that is based on decades of rigorous research. He saw climate change as a political agenda rather than an objective reality. This is where our views diverged. The science behind climate change is not a political issue; it is grounded in evidence and affects everyone equally. It transcends party lines because it is a product of the scientific method, which has been proven reliable over time. Science is neutral, and climate change is simply a reality that must be acknowledged, not a topic for political debate.However, I do agree that some people deliberately politicize climate change, denying its existence or downplaying its importance for the sake of political gain. This tactic undermines the integrity of science and turns a critical issue into a divisive talking point. The denial of climate change is not just a rejection of scientific consensus; it is a rejection of the very principles of the scientific method.

I agree with my colleague that politics should not interfere with our response to natural disasters, but I cannot support his dismissal of climate change as “politics.” Climate change is science, and denying its existence is simply denying reality. We must confront this issue based on evidence, not political ideologies.— Michael Lechner,Terre Haute

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The United States takes Danish AIM-120D-3 rocket to strengthen Strategic Havastrace protection

Technology

On October 29, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Denmark, involving the procurement of up to 203 AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), along with associated logistics, for an estimated cost of $744 million. The AIM-120D-3 variant, also known as the AMRAAM F3R, incorporates a two-way data link and GPS navigation to enhance its performance in electronic warfare environments. Denmark also became the first publicly known export customer of the AIM-120D-3, though previous sales of the AIM-120D may have included this model as well.The AIM-120D-3 represents the latest development in the AMRAAM series, reflecting continuous technological evolution. Compared to its predecessors, such as the AIM-120C-7, the AIM-120D series offers a 50% increase in range and enhanced guidance capabilities. These upgrades significantly improve the missile’s probability of kill (Pk), delivering better precision and performance in various combat scenarios. Although the exact range of the AIM-120D remains classified, estimates suggest it can engage targets at distances between 160 km and 180 km, making it a highly capable weapon for long-range engagements.
A notable feature of the AIM-120D-3 variant, known as the AMRAAM F3R (Form, Fit, Function Refresh), is its response to supply chain challenges and manufacturing issues. The F3R program integrates a two-way data link and GPS navigation into the missile’s systems, enhancing its performance, particularly in electronic warfare environments. These updates ensure that the missile continues to meet modern air combat requirements while maintaining production efficiency and reliability.
The AIM-120D-3’s versatility and precision make it a critical asset for air forces, capable of engaging multiple targets and operating under various conditions. Its upgraded systems and extended range reinforce its role as a key component in air-to-air combat. The F3R program further ensures the missile remains viable for long-term operational use, addressing potential obsolescence and updating crucial hardware for continued functionality.
The acquisition of the AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM will enhance Denmark’s air defense capabilities by providing longer-range engagement options and improved performance in complex electronic warfare environments. This missile is expected to strengthen Denmark’s ability to defend its airspace, particularly in cooperation with its Nordic allies, and ensure interoperability with modern fighter jets such as the F-16 and F-35. The AIM-120D-3’s advanced guidance systems, increased range, and robust electronic countermeasure capabilities make it a critical asset for Denmark’s strategic defense needs.