AI in Intelligence: US Special Ops Explores Digital Personas for Online Intel Gathering
Staff Editor US Special Operations Command Explores AI for Digital Personas
The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), a counterterrorism unit within the US Department of Defense, is reportedly considering the use of generative artificial intelligence to create fake online personas. This development comes despite recent warnings from the US government about the potential for AI-generated content to exacerbate misinformation and complicate the digital information landscape.
According to sources familiar with the matter, JSOC’s technology wishlist includes advanced AI capabilities for crafting convincing online identities across various social media and internet platforms. These AI-generated personas would incorporate realistic facial imagery, video content, and audio components.
The primary objective of this initiative is to enable Special Operations Forces to gather intelligence from public online forums using these AI-created digital avatars. This move signifies a notable shift in the Pentagon’s approach to online surveillance and influence operations, which have traditionally relied on human intelligence personnel.
The Department of Defense’s interest in AI-powered digital deception extends beyond JSOC. In 2023, the Pentagon’s Special Operations Command issued a procurement request for deepfake technology, indicating a broader strategy to enhance influence operations through artificial intelligence.
This push for AI-driven digital personas comes at a sensitive time, with the upcoming US election and discussions surrounding Project 2025 – a proposed plan for a potential Trump presidency that includes provisions for expanded surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Experts in the field have expressed concern over the Pentagon’s embrace of AI for digital activities. Critics argue that such practices could set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging similar tactics by other nations and further complicating efforts to discern truth in the digital age.
Heidy Khlaaf, a researcher at the AI Now Institute, warned of the societal implications: “The widespread adoption of AI-generated content in intelligence operations could lead to a world where distinguishing fact from fiction becomes increasingly challenging, with far-reaching consequences for geopolitical stability and public trust.”
As the debate over the ethical use of AI in national security continues, the Pentagon’s exploration of these technologies underscores the complex interplay between technological advancement, national defense, and the integrity of the global information ecosystem.
