CIA Goes to South by Southwest to Look for Technology That Can ‘Supercharge’ Spies

The Central Intelligence Agency called for more partnerships with the private sector, saying at a music and tech festival that the US needs to “supercharge” its ability to keep up with foreign adversaries against threats like social-media manipulation and ubiquitous surveillance.

“Supercharged spies are exactly what you want, and what you deserve,” David Cohen, deputy director of the CIA, said Monday at the outset of a South by Southwest conference panel in Austin, Texas. The tech-focused panel was an open call to those with expertise in areas like wireless technology, quantum computing, biotech, battery and semiconductor technology to consider collaborating with, or joining, the agency.