Joshua Powell
Federal Leadership
Joshua Powell helps guide innovation and artificial intelligence at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Prior to his current role, he was the agency’s first acting director of AI implementation and then its first deputy chief AI officer, helping establish governance and oversight for existing and proposed tools. His work connects technology choices with the needs of personnel carrying out CBP’s border, trade and travel missions. As chief innovation officer and chief AI officer, Powell has discussed how agencies can balance promising new capabilities with operational realities, including whether tools can help officers and agents in the field. His leadership focuses on making experimentation useful to the mission.