US Justice Department appoints its inaugural AI officer

The role involves advising on integrating AI into investigations and prosecutions

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The U.S. Justice Department has appointed its first official focused on artificial intelligence, Jonathan Mayer, a Princeton University professor specializing in technology and law.

Here are a few key points:

• Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the need for the department to adapt to technological advancements while upholding the rule of law and civil rights.

• Mayer's role involves advising on integrating AI into investigations and prosecutions, with a focus on ethics and efficacy.

• The department sees AI as a tool for enhancing national security but also recognizes concerns regarding biases, election tampering, and cybercrime.

• Mayer will lead a board of law enforcement and civil rights officials to address these issues and recruit more technological experts to the department.

• He previously served as technology adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and worked for the Federal Communications Commission.