Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is pleased to announce the July Issue of STEPS: Science, Technology, and Engineering Policy Studies. Please enjoy this featured article:

 

The authors present a case for a NEURINT (neurocognitive intelligence) approach to intelligence operations. This newly developing technology integrates tools from computational and neuro-cognitive sciences to enable automated access, acquisition and analysis of multiple sources of information to model and predict targets’ intentions and actions. The approach would utilize information from the brain sciences, together with human cognitive and machine-based processing, and cyber technologies and methods to synergize HUMINT, SIGINT and COMMINT in assessing and influencing target individuals and groups. Citing recent research in the field, the authors maintain that these techniques and technologies are ready to be further developed and engaged to optimize intelligence operations.

 

CONFLICT, THE HUMAN DOMAIN, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF INTELLIGENCE

 

As international conflict dynamics shift ever more toward effecting power in the information space, ?outcomes are often decided not by military capabilities on land, sea or air, but rather by the influence of ideas and emotions that motivate behaviors of state and non-state actors alike. Ideas about needs, values, and the nature and intentions of other groups, and resulting feelings of trust, mistrust, dread, and threat determine priorities and influence attitudes and actions. In light of this, it is becoming increasingly important for intelligence operations to understand the ways that individuals perceive and respond to various types of information. In turn, this requires knowledge about how humans communicate with one another in groups, and orient and respond to economic, social and political environments. Human perceptions and behaviors involve interacting biological, psychological and social factors. To date, detecting these interacting variables with scientific rigor has been difficult, due in part to limitations of extant technologies and techniques available for intelligence acquisition, assimilation, analysis and use. However, we believe that newly developing technology systems can be employed in and for intelligence operations, and that the use of these approaches may greatly supplement current intelligence capabilities, and in this way, afford important and perhaps necessary additions to the intelligence community (IC) toolkit.

Find the full article here.

 

STEPS is the technical publication of the Potomac Institute that encourages articles that introduce a bold and innovative idea in technology development, or that discuss policy implications in response to technology developments. We encourage you to read this issue of STEPS—Science, Technology, and Engineering Policy Studies. Please take a look at our website —https://potomacinstitute.org/steps/ and download the pdf. If you are interested in publishing in STEPS or if you wish to discuss a topic before completing an article please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..