CIA taps its first chief technology officer

Nand Mulchandani of the Pentagon's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will serve as the CIA's first-ever chief technology officer, the agency announced Friday.

In this role as the agency's first CTO, Mulchandani will "ensure the agency is leveraging cutting-edge innovations and scanning the horizon for tomorrow's innovations to further CIA's mission," the CIA said of the new position. 

"Since my confirmation, I have prioritized focusing on technology and the new CTO position is a very important part of that effort. I am delighted Nand has joined our team and will bring his extensive experience to this crucial new role," said CIA Director William Burns of his appointment of Mulchandani to the role. 

Mulchandani is a veteran of both the private sector and Department of Defense. Most recently he was working as the CTO, and before that, the acting director of JAIC. He also has worked in the private sector on a series of startups.

"I am honored to join CIA in this role and look forward to working with the Agency's incredible team of technologists and domain experts who already deliver world-class intelligence and capabilities to help build a comprehensive technology strategy that delivers exciting capabilities working closely with industry and partners," said Mulchandani in a statement.