The board, formed in April, is made up of major software and hardware companies, critical infrastructure operators, public officials, the civil rights community, and academia, according to the release.

A once in a generation opportunity

Mayorkas explained the need for the framework in a report outlining the initiative, “AI is already altering the way Americans interface with critical infrastructure. New technology, for example, is helping to sort and distribute mail to American households, quickly detect earthquakes and predict aftershocks, and prevent blackouts and other electric-service interruptions. These uses do not come without risk, though: a false alert of an earthquake can create panic, and a vulnerability introduced by a new technology may risk exposing critical systems to nefarious actors.”

AI, he said, offers “a once in-a-generation opportunity to improve the strength and resilience of US critical infrastructure, and we must seize it while minimizing its potential harms. The framework, if widely adopted, will go a long way to better ensure the safety and security of critical services that deliver clean water, consistent power, internet access, and more.”