Story perspectives

Homeland Security Trials AI; 42% Need Infrastructure Upgrade

6/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Homeland Security tested AI pilots across United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in October 2024.
CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) data shows 45% of firms remain in the AI exploration phase.
BDO's Techtonic States Chapter 2 report finds 42% of organizations need AI-ready infrastructure.
Databricks advises building reliable data infrastructure, launching low-complexity pilots, and funding training to address workforce readiness.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s ‘Third Offset’ warned AI would dominate combat, prompting the DoD to raise AI funding from $5.6 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion by 2016. The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, proposed to Congress on 27 June 2018, centralized AI work and merged into the Chief Digital and AI Office in 2022. Homeland Security now mirrors that model across USCIS, HSI and FEMA.

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Story summary

Homeland Security tested AI pilots across United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in October 2024.
CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) data shows 45% of firms remain in the AI exploration phase.
BDO's Techtonic States Chapter 2 report finds 42% of organizations need AI-ready infrastructure.
Databricks advises building reliable data infrastructure, launching low-complexity pilots, and funding training to address workforce readiness.

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