Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022 and the AI boom that followed, the technology has found its way into almost every organisation and sector – from finance to manufacturing to cybersecurity.
It’s also reached the intelligence space. There are now AI-powered tools that can help analysts gather, process, and analyse intelligence data more efficiently and effectively, helping them But while these tools can automate tasks like data collection, anomaly detection, and threat assessment, that doesn’t mean they should automate everything.
In open-source intelligence (OSINT), an area which requires specialised intelligence skills, artificial intelligence should be used to augment, not replace, human analyses of human intelligence.
AI must be used in conjunction with human analysts, who can provide oversight and ensure that the tools are being used effectively. The issue is that – for some intelligence agencies – it seems like the robots really are taking over.
How is AI transforming open-source intelligence (OSINT)?
AI has its place in open-source intelligence. AI-powered tools can quickly sift through massive amounts of data from various sources, including social media, news articles, and government documents, to identify relevant information and patterns and help analysts find important information and patterns much faster.
AI can also be trained to understand specific things like changes in how people talk or strange activity, helping analysts find possible problems or opportunities more quickly. And when there’s too much data for analysts to process, the technology can filter out the less important data, so analysts can focus on what really matters.
But AI is not perfect, and it needs humans to help it understand things fully. For example, human analysts are still needed to assess the credibility of the information and determine whether it is relevant to the intelligence objective. AI also struggles to give context and understanding of the data, something that is crucial for OSINT investigations.
AI should therefore be used in conjunction with human intelligence for OSINT to be used effectively. This will allow investigators to:
- Combine the strengths of humans and AI: AI can process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, while human analysts can provide context, understanding, and critical thinking.
- Provide context and understanding: Human analysts can provide context and understanding to the data that AI may struggle to grasp. They can also assess the credibility of the information and determine whether it is relevant to the intelligence objective.
- Ensure accuracy and reliability: By working together, human analysts and AI can ensure that the intelligence produced is accurate and reliable. Human analysts can provide oversight and quality control, while AI can help to identify and correct errors.
- Develop new capabilities: The combination of AI and human intelligence can lead to the development of new capabilities and approaches to OSINT. For example, AI can be used to create predictive models that can help to anticipate future events.
- Enhance decision-making: By providing timely and accurate information, OSINT can enhance decision-making at all levels of an organization. This can lead to improved outcomes and better results.
By combining AI with human intelligence for OSINT investigations, intelligence agencies, intelligence agencies can improve their ability to collect, analyze, and understand information, ultimately making them more effective at their mission.
The problem with AI in OSINT
The issue with AI in OSINT is that it can be limited by its reliance on data and algorithms. AI models are trained on large datasets, and if these datasets are biased or incomplete, the AI may produce biased or inaccurate results. This is a serious issue for OSINT, whose purpose is to uncover accurate, legal evidence that’s viable in court.
Another issue is that AI may not be able to fully capture the nuances of human language and context. AI models can struggle to understand sarcasm, irony, or cultural references, which can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate interpretations of evidence. This is particularly problematic in OSINT, where understanding the context of human information and digital conversations is often central to uncovering evidence.
The use of AI in OSINT can also raise legal questions. There are already cross-jurisdictional restrictions on the types of data that can be collected or processed by AI and the methods that it can be used to obtain information. For example, the use of AI to conduct surveillance or target individuals may raise concerns about privacy and human rights and intelligence agencies must therefore thread carefully with AI to ensure its use is lawful and ethical, and that it does not violate the rights of individuals.
While AI offers significant benefits for OSINT, it is important to be aware of the potential challenges and risks associated with its use. Intelligence agencies must carefully consider these factors and take steps to mitigate them to ensure that their use of AI is effective, ethical, and lawful.
What will the future of AI in OSINT look like?
The future of AI in OSINT is likely to be characterized by continued innovation and growth. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and powerful tools being developed for use in OSINT.
One area where we can expect to see significant progress is in the development of natural language processing (NLP) capabilities. NLP allows AI systems to understand and interpret human language, which is essential for analyzing text-based data such as news articles, social media posts, and government documents. As NLP technology improves, AI will become even more effective at extracting valuable information from these sources.
Another area of growth is in machine learning. Machine learning algorithms can be trained to recognize specific patterns or indicators of interest, such as changes in language usage, shifts in sentiment, or unusual activity. This will allow analysts to identify potential threats or opportunities more accurately and efficiently.
By leveraging AI technology, intelligence agencies can improve their ability to collect, analyze, and understand information, ultimately making them more effective at their mission. However, it is important to approach this technology with caution and to be mindful of the potential risks and challenges.
Will AI replace human OSINT?
No, AI will not replace human intelligence for OSINT. While AI can automate many tasks and provide valuable insights, it cannot replicate the nuanced understanding, judgment, and creativity that human analysts bring to the table. AI is a powerful tool that can enhance the capabilities of human analysts, but it should not be seen as a substitute.
AI is a powerful tool that can help to process large amounts of data and identify patterns that may be difficult for humans to spot. However, AI is not infallible. It can make mistakes, and it may not be able to understand the context of the information it is analyzing.
For this reason, it is essential that AI is used in conjunction with human analysts, who can provide oversight and ensure that the tools are being used effectively.
Learn how SIP International Uses AI to enhance expert-led OSINT
