CIA chief sets out era of US-China ‘strategic competition’ in AI and beyond
The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) represents the most significant transformation in espionage since the Cold War. Speaking at the annual Ditchley Lecture, Burns highlighted the need for the United States to stay ahead of adversaries, particularly China, in harnessing the power of AI to exploit open-source and clandestinely-acquired data. He emphasized that while emerging technologies would shape the future, the exceptional men and women of the CIA would continue to be at the heart of driving intelligence forward.
To maintain geopolitical advantages, Burns outlined CIA initiatives such as the establishment of a new mission center focused on China and a transnational and technology mission center. He also emphasized the importance of partnerships with the private sector to keep pace with breakthroughs in AI and other technologies. The CIA has launched CIA Labs to support research and development in collaboration with academic and private sector partners.