Overview
Title
An Act To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to identify, integrate, and deploy new, innovative, disruptive, or other emerging or advanced technologies to enhance, or address capability gaps in, border security operations, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 993 is a plan for the U.S. government to find and use new and exciting tools to protect the country's borders, like using special machines and computers to help keep people safe. This plan also wants to make sure they talk with other groups to do this job better and check how it might affect people's privacy.
Summary AI
H. R. 993, known as the "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act," requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a plan for using new, innovative, or advanced technologies to improve U.S. border security operations. The plan must explore technologies like artificial intelligence, radar, and sensors; assess how Customs and Border Protection (CBP) teams use these technologies; and identify technologies used by other federal agencies that could benefit CBP. Additionally, it should include information on privacy impacts, procurement authorities, and how CBP coordinates with the private sector and other entities to enhance border security through technological advancements.
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Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
The "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at bolstering the United States' border security efforts through the adoption of advanced technologies. The bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop a strategic plan that integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, drones, machine learning, and more, into border security operations. This initiative seeks to enhance border protection capabilities and address existing operational gaps.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the notable concerns is the absence of budgetary constraints, which raises the risk of excessive and possibly wasteful spending. Without clear financial guidelines, there might be inefficient allocation of resources, leading to unnecessary expenses.
Privacy concerns are another major issue, especially with the integration of technologies like AI and machine learning. The bill does not provide comprehensive measures to safeguard privacy and civil liberties, which could result in potential infringements on individual rights.
The use of the term "disruptive" regarding technologies in the plan is vague, causing ambiguity about what specific technologies could be included. Such ambiguity may lead to inconsistencies in the plan's implementation.
The timeline stipulated for submitting an initial plan is just 180 days, which may not offer adequate time for thorough research and stakeholder engagement. This short timeframe could lead to a hasty or incomplete strategy, lacking in critical analysis and input from relevant parties.
Additionally, the lack of oversight and accountability mechanisms in the deployment of technologies could result in inefficient use of funds and failure to achieve the intended security enhancements.
Potential Impact on the Public
The broad implementation of advanced technologies in border security has the potential to significantly impact the general public. On the positive side, these advancements could lead to increased security at national borders, reducing illegal activities and enhancing overall safety. However, the integration of surveillance technologies and AI might raise concerns about privacy invasions, affecting individuals living near border areas or those crossing the border.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For governmental bodies and agencies involved in border security, this bill could potentially streamline operations and foster innovation by adopting new technologies. However, without clear guidelines and oversight, there is a risk of mismanagement, which could undermine these potential benefits.
For technology companies, particularly those developing advanced border technologies, the bill could open up new business opportunities. However, the requirement for clear partnership agreements is crucial to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair practices.
For privacy advocates and civil liberty organizations, the bill presents significant concerns. The lack of stringent privacy safeguards and oversight mechanisms could lead to opposition due to potential threats to personal freedoms and rights.
In conclusion, while the "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act" offers promising advancements in border security, it is vital for policymakers to address the highlighted issues to ensure that the benefits do not come at the cost of privacy and effective resource utilization.
Issues
The lack of budgetary constraints or limits in Section 2 could result in significantly wasteful spending, as the bill does not provide clear guidelines on financial oversight and resource allocation.
Section 2 raises major privacy concerns related to the integration of AI and machine learning technologies, as it lacks comprehensive guidance on safeguarding privacy and civil liberties while deploying these advanced systems.
The use of the term 'disruptive' in Section 2 is vague and could be interpreted variably, leading to potential ambiguities and inconsistencies in the implementation of the technology plan.
The 180-day timeline requirement in Section 2 for submitting the initial plan may not allow sufficient time for thorough research and stakeholder engagement, potentially leading to rushed or incomplete planning.
The absence of oversight mechanisms and accountability measures in Section 2 could result in inefficient technology deployment and misuse of funds slated for border security enhancements.
Coordination with non-federal partners in Section 2 involves agreements that require clear guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest or favoritism, raising ethical and legal concerns about fair partnership practices.
The language in Section 2 is complex and may be inaccessible to individuals not familiar with legislative or technical jargon, posing challenges for public understanding and transparency.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states that the official name of the Act is the “Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act.”
2. Innovative and emerging border technology plan Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section requires the Department of Homeland Security, through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to create a plan for using new technologies like artificial intelligence and drones to improve border security. This plan must include details on current team efforts, privacy impacts, collaboration with the private sector, and how to integrate and evaluate these technologies, alongside annual reporting on innovation progress.