What is the relationship between emerging technologies and the professionalisation of intelligence analysis?

From the open-source movement to the artificial intelligence revolution, I evaluate whether technology operates as a driver to the professionalisation of intelligence analysis in the public and private sector. My hypothesis is that emerging technologies further exacerbate the need for professional standards in intelligence. 

With consideration to the unique features of intelligence analysis, which is so far understood as a quasi-profession, my research connects intelligence scholarship and practice with current "normalisation" trends.

My research follows the more recent efforts of introducing gaps and challenges in the professionalisation of private sector intelligence (Robson-Morrow, 2022), and brings professionalisation back in the research agenda of Intelligence Studies altogether, by providing a more inclusive outlook underlying trends in both the private and public sector intelligence. For this research, primary data collection methods (interviews, survey) place the intelligence practitioner - in particular, the intelligence analyst - as the main level of analysis, giving them more space and agency over the discourse of professionalisation.  

Oxford University Cyber Strategy & Technology Studies Working Group, "Tracing transformation in Intelligence: Open-Source Intelligence and AI", 07 February 2025.