CIA Developing ChatGPT-Like AI for Faster Open-Source Intelligence

According to a Bloomberg report, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States plans to develop and deploy an artificial intelligence (AI) computer modeled after ChatGPT for use in investigations.

Reportedly, the CIA intends to equip its analysts with the new AI tool to improve their access to open-source intelligence. This includes scouring public information for investigative leads.

Officials of the agency stated that they intend to implement the tool shortly. Randy Nixon, director of the CIA’s open source enterprise, told Bloomberg that the agency has transitioned from using newspapers and radio to newspapers and television, newspapers and cable television, the rudimentary internet, and now big data.

“Then you can take it to the next level and start chatting and asking questions of the machines to give you answers, also sourced.”

Critics have characterized the current methods by which the CIA processes available public data as “slow.” This development is a response to this criticism. Bloomberg reported that the new tools will enable users to view the source of the information being sourced and will also include a messaging function.

Nixon stated that the CIA “closely follows” U.S. privacy law, but neither the model nor privacy protections for the new instrument were mentioned.

The instrument will reportedly be accessible to the 18 intelligence agencies that comprise the United States. This includes the CIA, the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and agencies administered by the military.

This announcement by the CIA follows recent confirmation of the use of artificial intelligence by other government agencies.

Gary Gensler, the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), confirmed to the U.S. Senate on September 12 that his agency is presently using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to monitor the finance industry for signs of fraud and manipulation.

In a July 17 speech, Gensler lauded the use of AI tools, stating that the SEC staff could benefit from a larger application of AI in “market surveillance, disclosure review, exams, enforcement, and economic analysis.”