DHS names Michael Boyce to lead its AI Corps

The Department of Homeland Security is bringing on new expertise to helm the agency’s artificial intelligence-savvy team, which is prioritizing leveraging AI technologies for mission operations like fentanyl interdiction, combating online child sex abuse and assessing disaster damages. 

As part of a hiring sprint DHS announced in February to build its AI Corps workforce, Michael Boyce has been selected to serve as director of that effort, an agency spokesperson confirmed to Nextgov/FCW on Wednesday. 

Boyce comes to DHS from the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he worked as a senior policy analyst focusing on FedRAMP and AI policy, including contributing to authoring sections on federal use of generative AI policy and President Joe Biden’s 2023 AI Executive Order. 

Other positions Boyce has held include chief of innovation for the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate at U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services and digital service expert at the U.S. Digital Service — a program that served as inspiration for the AI Corps effort.

“The DHS AI Corps will enable the Department of Homeland Security to keep up with the pace of innovation as we enhance our work combating fentanyl traffickers, rescuing victims of child sexual exploitation, countering cyberattacks, assessing disaster damage, and much more,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at the time of the initiative’s launch.