The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) made history in April 2022 by appointing its first-ever Chief Technology Officer, Nand Mulchandani. With a background in Silicon Valley startups and government experience, Mulchandani brings a unique blend of tech expertise and public sector know-how to the role. In an exclusive interview, Mulchandani shared his insights on the CIA's technology priorities, the potential impact of the incoming Trump administration, and his own future in Washington.

Mulchandani's appointment is seen as a strategic move by CIA Director William Burns to focus on great power competition, particularly with China. The agency has launched two new mission centers, one focused on China and another dedicated to transnational and technological threats. Mulchandani emphasized that these priorities will likely remain unchanged under the new administration, given the importance of technology in the next generation of competition.

With the Trump administration expected to bring in advisors like Elon Musk, there is speculation about the potential for significant changes in the government's approach to technology. Mulchandani declined to comment on specific presidential transitions but highlighted the CIA's focus on technology enablement, using AI and other tools to bring precision and scale to its activities. He emphasized the importance of cost, deployment of tech at scale, and the need for a big focus on these areas.

As the CIA's first CTO, Mulchandani identified several key priorities for the agency, including the focus on data insights, particularly AI, and the need to continuously retool infrastructure and systems to handle the growing scope and scale of data. He also highlighted the importance of supporting defense tech and Silicon Valley companies that are now leaning into military technology and national security.

Mulchandani also discussed the CIA's initiative to dramatically lower the bar to onboarding commercial tech, which he referred to as the "inbound arc." The agency plans to have direct conversations with investors, VCs, and startups to better understand its needs and problem sets. This marks a significant shift in the CIA's approach, as it traditionally has been quiet about its problems and initiatives.

When asked about the potential impact of advisors like Marc Andreessen on the government's approach to technology, Mulchandani diplomatically sidestepped the question, citing his own experience as a former CEO and businessperson. He emphasized the importance of business models and how technology is changing them, highlighting the value of his experience in running businesses and making business decisions.

As a non-political appointee, Mulchandani's future in Washington is uncertain. While he expressed concerns about the lack of Silicon Valley folks in DC, he did not rule out the possibility of staying on if that's an option. He also left open the possibility of the CIA creating a second hub on the West Coast, which could bring fresh thinking and more tech people into the agency.

As the CIA navigates the transition to a new administration, Mulchandani's insights provide a unique window into the agency's technology priorities and its approach to the future of intelligence. With his blend of tech expertise and public sector experience, Mulchandani is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in the CIA's approach to technology and its role in the next generation of competition.