Will AI replace Intelligence Analysts?

AI can do 82% of the work Intelligence Analysts do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 2 of their 21 tasks, while 13 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 5 still need a person.

AI is already doing this2 · 9% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.Mostly automated4% of time

AI could do this next13 · 73% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.18% of time
  • Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.15% of time
  • Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.11% of time
  • Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.8% of time
  • Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.5% of time
  • Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.4% of time
  • Conduct presentations of analytic findings.4% of time
  • Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.3% of time
  • Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.3% of time
  • Gather and evaluate information, using tools such as aerial photographs, radar equipment, or sensitive radio equipment.1% of time
  • Develop defense plans or tactics, using intelligence and other information.1% of time
  • Interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.1% of time
  • Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 1% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities.Robots: almost anywhere1% of time

Still needs a person5 · 16% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.6% of time
  • Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.4% of time
  • Study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.3% of time
  • Identify gaps in information.3% of time
  • Study communication code languages or foreign languages to translate intelligence.1% of time

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 8 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 2 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 13 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators64%Police Identification and Records Officers58%Transit and Railroad Police80%Parking Enforcement Workers72%Customs and Border Protection Officers59%Correctional Officers and Jailers58%

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