Using AI responsibly at the CIA: A conversation with Lakshmi Raman
In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Lakshmi Raman, the director of AI at the CIA, discussed her path to director and the CIA’s use of AI. Raman, who joined the CIA in 2002, highlighted the importance of having women role models and predecessors in the historically male-dominated intelligence field.
As the director of AI, Raman oversees and integrates AI activities across the CIA. She emphasized that AI is meant to support the agency’s mission, with humans and machines working together at the forefront. The CIA has been exploring AI applications since 2000, particularly in natural language processing, computer vision, and video analytics. Raman mentioned that the agency stays updated on newer trends, such as generative AI, through industry and academia.
There is a sense of urgency within the U.S. intelligence community to deploy tools that can assist in combating global geopolitical tensions. The Special Competitive Studies Project has set a two-year timeline for domestic intelligence services to adopt generative AI at scale. One tool developed by the CIA, called Osiris, summarizes data and allows analysts to ask follow-up questions in plain English.
While the CIA leverages commercial services and partnerships with vendors, concerns about the use of AI by intelligence agencies exist. The revelation that the CIA has a secret data repository containing information about U.S. citizens raises questions about civil liberties and unjust outcomes. Studies have shown that predictive crime algorithms and facial recognition technology can be biased and result in misidentifications. Additionally, AI systems can hallucinate or invent facts and figures.
Raman emphasized that the CIA complies with U.S. law, follows ethical guidelines, and mitigates bias in its use of AI. She highlighted the importance of a thoughtful approach to AI that involves all stakeholders and ensures users understand the system they are using. Clear explanations of how AI systems work and adherence to legal requirements are crucial.
The interview raises awareness about the need for responsible AI use and the importance of transparency and accountability. It also highlights the challenges intelligence agencies face in balancing the benefits of AI with potential risks and ethical considerations.