Justice Department names first artificial intelligence officer

The Department of Justice (DOJ) named its first artificial intelligence (AI) officer Thursday amid growing concerns over the impact of the new technology on the criminal justice system. 

The DOJ named Jonathan Mayer, a Princeton University assistant professor who focuses on national security, consumer privacy and criminal procedures, to the role. He will serve in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy as the chief AI officer, according to the department. 

“The Justice Department must keep pace with rapidly evolving scientific and technological developments in order to fulfill our mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe and protect civil rights,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. 

The DOJ and officials in other departments have been brainstorming ways to decrease the risk AI’s development brings, while looking to extract some positives. The DOJ has used AI to track down where some illegal drugs are coming from and has utilized the technology during its investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, according to Reuters. 

Mayer, who holds a law degree and a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University, will be the leader of a newly forged Emerging Technology Board, set to advise the DOJ on the ethics of AI. The professor, who has worked for the Federal Communications Commission, will also be tasked with bringing in more technology experts to the DOJ. 

“Jonathan’s expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that the entire Justice Department — including our law enforcement components, litigating components, grantmaking entities, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices — is prepared for both the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present,” Garland said.