Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Knowledge advantage can save lives, win wars and avert disaster. At the Central Intelligence Agency, basic artificial intelligence – machine learning and algorithms – has long served that mission. Now, generative AI is joining the effort.
CIA Director William Burns says AI tech will augment humans, not replace them. The agency’s first chief technology officer, Nand Mulchandani, is marshaling the tools. There’s considerable urgency: Adversaries are already spreading AI-generated deepfakes aimed at undermining U.S. interests.
A former Silicon Valley CEO who helmed successful startups, Mulchandani was named to the job in 2022 after a stint at the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.
Among projects he oversees: A ChatGPT-like generative AI application that draws on open-source data (meaning unclassified, public or commercially available). Thousands of analysts across the 18-agency U.S. intelligence community use it. Other CIA projects that use large-language models are, unsurprisingly, secret.
Related articles
Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated
BALTIMORE (AP) — The container ship that caused the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key2024-05-21Convicted sex offender says rule against sex between prisoners is discriminatory
Phillip John Smith appears via audiovisual link at the Court of Appeal in Wellington. Photo: RNZ/Lau2024-05-21General specialist surgery trainees' job prospects appear faint, surgeons say
The problem was raised at the NZ Association of General Surgeons' conference at the weekend. (file i2024-05-21Prince Harry's landline calls were bugged by Murdoch papers, lawyers say
By Michael Holden and Sam Tobin for ReutersPrince Harry alleges UK tabloids have been spreading lies2024-05-21Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Investigators returned Monday to the home of a New York architect charg2024-05-21Splore festival to take 2025 off after posting loss
Greentea Peng headlines the main stage on Friday night at Splore 2024. Photo: Sigrid Yiakmis2024-05-21
atest comment