Beyond the Screen: The Importance of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) in the Digital Age

The proliferation of information technology around the globe has increased the ability of intelligence services to gather information through technical collection methods; this, along with the advent of artificial intelligence being used to supplement these technically inclined methods, calls into question the role that human intelligence (HUMINT) will play in the future. Using case studies of previous intelligence operations, we focus on the flexibility and adaptability of HUMINT, as well as areas where hybrid intelligence methods were utilized for the best results. Finally, we make the case that if we follow artificial intelligence to its inevitable conclusion, we will see HUMINT become more important as AI becomes more powerful and widespread between competing powers and their allies.