Plenary Session 3: The Homeland Enterprise Now and the Way Ahead

Incredible technologies from artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing have given us a set of new capabilities, opportunities, and at times threats. But given the nature of the Homeland Security Enterprise - broad and multi-echeloned - defining a strategy for research can be challenging. Technology of the future will surely aid emergency response, operational reliability, and our nation’s resilience. So how might we design a comprehensive R&D strategy incorporating all partners and stakeholders?

Our society is shifting rapidly and our longstanding institutions are trying to keep pace. New technologies, better training, and efforts to diversify our nation’s police forces have all had positive impact. Everyday we call on our police to be more than law enforcement officers and expect them to also respond to nonviolent calls relating to mental illness, addiction, and other social ills. Still we hear for calls to “defund.” Is it time to ask more of our police and cut resources? What technologies might we better leverage in our policing?

The Organization of American States works to build peace and justice and defend the sovereignty of the nations of the Western Hemisphere through four pillars - democracy, human rights, security, and development. These pillars are challenged now more than ever and the effects spill over into the US. How can the regional international community rally to address our common issues?