The United States’ foreign intelligence service CIA is launching a research and development arm, and blockchain technology will be one of the key areas of focus. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) will also research other emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Known as CIA Labs, the new research and development arm will “bring CIA officers together with the private sector and academia to research and develop science and technology solutions in support of the CIA’s mission.” Blockchain-related startup stories have also become very frequent.
The agency seeks to boost its national security tools.
The top foreign intelligence agency believes that this will give it access to leading researchers as it seeks to boost its national security tools. CIA Labs will conduct research, development, testing, and engineering to address new challenges and improve existing solutions, the agency revealed in a statement. Distributed ledgers and blockchain-enabled technologies will be one of the areas of focus for CIA Labs. Blockchain’s use in the U.S. government has been rising steadily over the past few years as more agencies strive to be at the forefront of the technology. Over the past few months, the Internal Revenue Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Secret Service have all signed up to use Coinbase Analytics, the exchange’s blockchain analytics software.
Blockchain adoption increases amid the ongoing pandemic.
Some other emerging technologies that the CIA Labs will focus on include biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality, quantum computing, robotic and autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and data analytics. Regulators worldwide have acknowledged the potential of blockchain tech and are utilizing it in different sectors. South Korea is using blockchain tech in healthcare and many other fields. With the ongoing global pandemic, several countries are exploring the use of blockchain tech in remote voting for upcoming elections.
