Cover to Cover | Spies, Lies, and Algorithms by Amy Zegart

On March 23, 2022, we spoke with author and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution: Amy Zegart. “New dangers come from tech, not terrorists. Emerging technologies like AI and social media are weakening the strong and empowering the weak, fundamentally changing dynamics of international conflict. To be blunt: The U.S. is losing its intelligence advantage,” she writes.

To help us better understand these looming threats, Dr. Amy Zegart has written Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence. Her book discusses the past, present, and future of American Intelligence, and outlines what's urgently needed to protect our nation today. She explores why intelligence analysis is so challenging, a discussion about turncoats and double agents. and many revealing "day in the life" stories from intelligence officials.

0:00 Introduction
2:04 What are the three main challenges facing intelligence today?
6:32 It seems like there is less emphasis on secrecy. How does this relate to the current Russia-Ukraine war?
10:17 Is the U.S. intelligence network equal to Russia's or China's?
11:42 Have you ever worked for the CIA?
13:37 How did you get involved with the intelligence community?
15:11 Talk about the image of the intelligence community created by Hollywood. How does this impact the average American's understanding (or misunderstanding)?
19:00 What does a day in the life for an intelligence actor look like?
23:21 How does the private sector get involved in intelligence?
25:29 Is it possible to have good AI algorithms that prevent bad targeting and profiling?
27:43 Can you comment on the pervasive demand for human intelligence?
31:32 Can you talk about failures in intelligence from Pearl Harbor through 9/11?
34:08 Can you comment on Secretary Albright's passing?
38:12 How valuable is long-term thinking for intelligence agencies?
44:35 How has intelligence changed with the expansion of technology (e.g. Google Earth)? How can this expansion of technology impact current nuclear threats? How does the public's access to tech impact security?
48:38 How are students responding to new learning in intelligence? What opportunities are there for youth in intelligence today?
50:19 Can you describe the arc of Congressional oversight?
51:47 Did the report on the use of torture reveal enough?
55:44 What is the most threatening thing facing the United States today?