In a bid to stay ahead in the technological race, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is reportedly developing an advanced AI chatbot, reminiscent of ChatGPT. The tool, once completed, is intended to be shared among the 18 US intelligence agencies, aiming to enhance their ability to sift through the ever-growing data landscape. However, the chatbot will not be made available to the public or lawmakers, underscoring the sensitive nature of its applications.
Strategic Move Against Global Competitors
This development is part of a broader US government initiative to leverage AI technology, as global competitors, notably China, are making significant strides in the same field. The CIA's Open-Source Enterprise division is at the forefront of this project, with Randy Nixon, the division's director, emphasizing the potential of Large Language Models (LLM) to provide better access to intelligence. The planned CIA LLM will allow users, including various US intelligence agencies and military analysts, to interact with the system, asking questions and receiving sourced answers.
“Then you can take it to the next level and start chatting and asking questions of the machines to give you answers, also sourced,” Nixon was quoted saying, highlighting the expansive and interactive nature of the tool. The initiative is seen as a strategic move to counter China's ambition to be a global leader in AI by 2023, with American agencies repeatedly expressing concerns over China's advancements and the potential threats they pose.
Privacy and Data Collection Concerns
While the AI tool promises enhanced intelligence capabilities, it also raises inevitable questions about privacy. The vast scale of data collection, including location information from mobile phones and website visits, brings forth challenges and concerns. Nixon acknowledged the astronomical growth in data collection over the years, hinting at the potential daunting nature of handling such vast information. The tool will reportedly be trained on publicly available data, although specifics about the underlying technology and data security measures remain undisclosed.
