Big Data, AI, Platforms, and the Future of the U.S. Intelligence Workforce: A Research Agenda

The US intelligence workforce includes a variety of information technology (IT)-related workers. A few studies have examined the culture and use of collaborative and information technologies in the US intelligence community (IC). These studies have focused on working-level knowledge-making practices in intelligence, and how new technologies can run against traditional cultures and work processes, in particular, intelligence units and agencies. There are not many robust empirical studies that provide information on where the specific problems and pressure points lie in incorporating new information technologies into intelligence work. At both micro and macro levels, more studies are needed which look at how the US IC is thinking about, planning for, and incorporating big data, AI technologies, and other kinds of emerging information technologies.