The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has finally named its first-ever AI chief officer amid growing concerns about the technology's applications to cyber-infrastructure threats.

First reported by Axios, CISA named Lisa Einstein to lead its newly-established task group to "responsibly use AI to advance its cyber defense mission" in supporting major US digital infrastructures as cyberattacks continue to rise.

The Homeland Security Department's AI cybersecurity AI wing chief is expected to provide CISA with plans on how to best use and protect generative AI software from hackers and foreign adversaries.

Einstein is a former senior AI advisor who helped the agency develop its first AI roadmap and hosted CISA's AI cybersecurity simulation exercise with tech giants like Microsoft, OpenAI, and NVIDIA.

Also Read: FBI Attributes Increasing Cyber Attacks to AI

Federal Agencies Launch Dedicated AI Task Forces to Respond to Cybersecurity Threats

Einstein's designation is the latest move from Federal security agencies launching their dedicated AI task forces to address cybersecurity threats by utilizing the technology to their advantage.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has already warned about the "escalating threat posed by cyber criminals" as they employ more sophisticated attacks through generative AI.

Among the noted strategies include large-scale phishing attacks, deepfake-powered cyber extortion, and fraud schemes.

AI Task Forces to Elevate US Cybersecurity Capabilities

Other than as a response team, the AI task forces are expected to provide their agencies with a better understanding of the technology for their operations.

CISA, for example, has been using AI learning machines for years now to automate threat detection and analysis as the number of cyberattack attempts in the country continues to rise. 

Further technology integration into their forces is expected to boost CISA's capabilities and response time.

Related Article: Hassan Taher Warns: AI Is Shaping the Future of Cyberattacks