CIA director says agency must take ‘smart risks’ to adopt AI amid national security pressures

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency will take ‘smart risks’ and ‘course correct’ as it adopts artificial intelligence, arguing that a risk-free approach to emerging technology does not exist. Ratcliffe made the remarks at the AWS Summit in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026, emphasizing speed and aggression in integrating AI into CIA operations.

Ratcliffe stated, “We simply can’t afford to wait for a risk-free approach to emerging tech. It doesn’t exist. We have to move fast. We have to be aggressive,” framing AI adoption as a national security imperative. He added that the agency will not make “perfect the enemy of good” as it tests the limits of what is possible.

Under new acquisition approaches, Ratcliffe said the CIA completed about 400 acquisitions in roughly six months, a significant reduction compared to prior timelines that often spanned around three years. The accelerated pace reflects the agency’s push to modernize its technology integration processes.

Deputy CIA Director Michael Ellis previously outlined plans to embed AI-powered “coworkers” into analysts’ workflows in the coming years, with tools intended to assist in drafting judgments, editing for clarity, and flagging trends for human review. Ratcliffe reinforced the need for CIA officers to become as comfortable with code as with human assets, while acknowledging that human judgment remains essential for decision-making.

Ratcliffe’s comments underscore a broader shift within the CIA toward public engagement about its technological modernization, including the integration of AI into intelligence operations. The agency has increasingly discussed its evolving tech strategy, including a new acquisition framework aimed at streamlining technology integration.