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# Unmasking the AI Secret: U.S. Intelligence’s Hidden Advantage
- URL: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/unmasking-the-ai-secret-u-s-intelligences-hidden-advantage/
- Published: 2024-05-28T02:55:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-27T05:29:29.000Z
- Description: If you thought ChatGPT was revolutionary, think again — U.S. intelligence has been leveraging generative AI long before it hit the mainstream.
- Author: Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP
- Tags: News, #seo-post-1

If you thought ChatGPT was revolutionary, think again — U.S. intelligence has been leveraging [generative AI](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/generative-ai-speaker/) long before it hit the mainstream.

Long before the public knew about generative AI, U.S. intelligence agencies were already using it to combat threats like illicit Chinese fentanyl trafficking. In a 2019 operation called Sable Spear, AI technology identified twice as many companies and 400% more individuals involved in illegal activities compared to human-only efforts.

This AI-driven approach saved countless hours and led to significant breakthroughs, such as predicting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with 80% certainty. Despite these successes, officials remain cautious, treating AI as a "crazy, drunk friend" due to its potential for error and security risks.

With exponential data growth, the challenge remains: how can agencies balance innovation with reliability in the unpredictable world of intelligence?

Read the full article on [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2024/05/23/us-intelligence-agencies-using-generative-ai-3-years-chatgpt-was-released/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com).

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