WASHINGTON — The task of America’s spy agencies is becoming more efficient thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence, as highlighted by the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, on Tuesday.
Addressing participants at a tech conference, Gabbard outlined the ways AI technology, used prudently, is capable of minimizing costs and allowing intelligence officers to turn their focus to critical duties such as data collection and examination. She remarked on the traditionally slow pace of intelligence processes that she previously encountered as a member of Congress and pointed out its continued existence as a hurdle.
AI applications are starting to take over tasks like managing human resources and pre-reviewing confidential documents that could potentially be declassified, Gabbard explained. In response to an order from President Donald Trump, her team has made public tens of thousands of papers linked to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his brother, New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
Specialists initially expected this effort to stretch over several months or even years, but AI technology quickened the pace by examining the documents to determine which parts should stay classified, Gabbard shared during her address at the Amazon Web Services Summit.
“AI tools have enabled us to accomplish this task significantly faster than the previous method, which involved manually inspecting each page,” Gabbard noted.
The intelligence sector already benefits from a multitude of technologies provided by the private sector. Gabbard emphasized her intent to fortify these relationships rather than allocate federal funds to construct costly alternatives.
“We need to evaluate the existing tools primarily available in the private sector to ensure that our intelligence operatives, be they collectors or analysts, are concentrating their expertise on duties only they can perform,” she stated.
Since Gabbard oversees collaboration between 18 intelligence agencies, she has committed to implementing reforms within the nation’s intelligence community.
Taking office this year, she has initiated a task force aimed at revising operational activities and increasing declassification. Notably, she dismissed two seasoned intelligence officers due to perceived opposition to Trump, dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and relocated the team preparing the President’s Daily Briefing to enhance her direct oversight.
As Gabbard continues her oversight of American intelligence operations, her drive to infuse advanced technologies underscores her broader effort to modernize and streamline these vital services.