CIA Wants 'Supercharged Spies' as it Sources the Private Sector for New Tech Over at SXSW

The CIA has long been known for using cutting-edge technology to enhance its intelligence-gathering capabilities. And now, the agency is looking to take things to the next level by incorporating the latest advancements in technology showcased at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festival over at Hilton, Austin, Texas.

The event held ground for many technology companies and startups focusing on debuting the latest tech to different industries, which the CIA aims to exploit for its expansion.

CIA wants 'Supercharged Spies' Using the Latest Tech

The South by Southwest (SXSW) 2023 event had the CIA as one of its featured keynotes of the event, with the address centering on "Spies Supercharged: The Tech and Future of the CIA." However, apart from the keynote, which details the many plans of the agency towards keeping up with modern tech, the CIA also wants to utilize technology to its advantage.

Among the many technologies present at the event, the CIA was inclined to look at the top trends in the market, including Augmented Reality (AR) and the widely famous artificial intelligence (AI).

Bloomberg's report said that the CIA's Deputy Director, David Cohen, said people deserve to get "supercharged spies." The agency wants to deliver these to all for their security and safety.

The CIA Sources SXSW for the Right Technology

The CIA has been attending the conference for several years now, but this year, it had a specific goal in mind: to identify technologies that could help it supercharge its spies. AI and AR are the top-growing techs in the world, which the CIA also wants to venture towards with partners from the private sector.

The CIA is also looking at other technologies, such as blockchain, biometrics, and drones, to enhance its intelligence-gathering capabilities further. The agency sees the potential of these technologies in improving the security, accuracy, and speed of its operations.

Defense and Security with Tech

CIA is an agency that brings intelligence and information to the Pentagon and Department of Defense to learn more about what is happening that remains unknown to the public and the US. It was initially believed that a part of its cybersecurity ventures centers on creating malware, and it was recently found to have leaked into the wrong hands.

However, there were also classified spying programs previously caught and reported by Intel, involving the the CIA, FBI, and other US agencies centering on security.

The CIA's attendance at the SXSW Conference and Festival underscores its commitment to leveraging the latest technological advancements to enhance its intelligence-gathering capabilities. By incorporating technologies such as AR and AI, the agency aims to supercharge its spies and stay ahead of its adversaries.

However, the CIA must carefully consider the risks associated with these technologies to ensure they are used ethically and responsibly.