The Intersection: Espionage Threats, Tech, and Algorithms
Oct 18, 2022
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The podcast explores the history of intelligence, the use of algorithms in analysis, and the biases and manipulations that can occur. Dr. Amy Zegart discusses the competition between US, China, and Russia in technology and national security. It also delves into the shift towards open source intelligence, the strengths and vulnerabilities of Russia and China in espionage, and the importance of ensuring long-term advantage in the cyber complex.
Intelligence agencies need to adapt to the changing landscape by focusing on insight rather than secrets and embracing open source intelligence.
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and the United States must prioritize developing and retaining technical talent to maintain leadership in this field.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Intelligence in the Age of Technology
Dr. Amy Ziegart discusses her book 'Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence' which explores the impact of technology on intelligence agencies. She highlights the need for intelligence to adapt to the changing landscape, with a focus on insight rather than secrets. Dr. Ziegart also emphasizes the importance of open source intelligence and the challenges of navigating a more transparent world. She discusses the need for the intelligence community to recruit and retain tech talent, reduce barriers such as lengthy clearance processes, and explore innovative approaches like fellowship programs.
The Power of Open Source Intelligence
The conversation delves into the significance of open source intelligence in the intelligence community. Dr. Ziegart and the host discuss the advantages and challenges of open source collection and analysis. They highlight the importance of shareability of information and the need for standards and ethical guidelines in the open source community. They also touch upon the use of open source intelligence in countering information warfare and the importance of sequencing information to influence perceptions.
Cybersecurity and the Future of Intelligence
Dr. Ziegart explores the role of cybersecurity in the context of great power competition. They reflect on past expectations of cyber warfare and how the landscape has evolved. Dr. Ziegart emphasizes the importance of addressing deception and the growing challenges of deep fakes. The discussion also touches on the relative strengths and weaknesses of different nations in cybersecurity and the need for the United States to develop and retain technical talent to maintain leadership in this field.
The history of the intelligence community is long and complex. As the world becomes increasingly digital, open communication is more important than ever. Today, intelligence agencies rely heavily on algorithms to analyze data and predict future events. But this approach has its drawbacks. For example, algorithms can be biased and easily manipulated by those in power. This history lesson is just the beginning of a much larger conversation about the future of American intelligence.
In this IQT Podcast episode we discuss this important topic with Dr. Amy Zegart, the Morris Arnold and Nona Jean Cox Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, professor of Political Science by courtesy at Stanford University, and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. She joins Steve Bowsher to discuss how technology is changing the nature of intelligence and explores the issues of traitors, congressional oversight, and covert action. Listen in to hear about the challenges and opportunities facing the intelligence community as it adapts to a world where emerging technologies are rapidly changing.
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