CIA's First CTO Nand Mulchandani and the Trump Transition

CIA's First CTO on Tech, Trump, and the Future of Intelligence

In April 2022, the Central Intelligence Agency appointed Nand Mulchandani as its inaugural chief technology officer. This decision signaled a forward-looking approach for the agency.

Mulchandani’s background is notably distinct within Washington circles. Prior to his government service, he held leadership positions – co-founding and serving as CEO – at several Bay Area technology companies: Oblix, Determina, OpenDNS, and ScaleXtreme. Each of these ventures was subsequently acquired by prominent tech corporations, including Oracle, VMware, Cisco, and Citrix.

Potential Shifts with a New Administration

The possibility of increased involvement from founders and technologists, potentially including figures like Elon Musk, within the incoming administration has been a topic of discussion. We recently spoke with Mulchandani regarding these potential changes and their implications.

A key question remains regarding Mulchandani’s long-term role, given that he wasn't directly chosen by the president and the impending departure of CIA Director William Burns, who will be succeeded by John Ratcliffe.

The following is an edited transcript of that conversation.

Current Strategic Focus

What discussions are currently underway as the new administration prepares to take office?

There's a widespread understanding that the fundamental dynamics concerning technology and China will not undergo significant alteration. Director Burns prioritized great power competition upon his arrival, recognizing that while conventional conflicts persist, the next era of rivalry will be defined by economic and technological dominance.

The agency’s strategic priorities, as established by Director Burns, center on China and a strategic shift towards technology. This was reflected in the launch of two new mission centers in 2021 – one focused on China and the other on transnational and technological threats – and the creation of the CTO position. These priorities are likely to endure regardless of the incoming administration.

Engagement with the Tech Sector

Considering the discussions surrounding DOGE and Elon Musk’s and Vivek Ramaswamy’s proposals for government streamlining, has there been any communication between Musk’s team and the CIA? Reports indicate Jared Birchall, head of Musk’s family office, engaged with State Department candidates.

I cannot comment on specific presidential transition activities. However, a central theme we’ve been advocating is the technological empowerment of government processes, leveraging AI and other tools to enhance precision and scalability. While I cannot address their specific objectives – whether cost reduction or large-scale tech deployment – our focus encompasses all these aspects.

Priorities for the CIA

In any transition, incoming personnel assess priorities. What would you identify as the CIA’s key priorities?

Certain challenges are perennial. A primary focus is extracting actionable insights from data, particularly through the effective deployment of AI. The volume of available data is constantly expanding, and while the agency actively collects intelligence from various sources – human, electronic, and geospatial – managing this influx requires continuous infrastructure and system upgrades.

Secondly, the growing intersection of defense technology and innovative Silicon Valley companies entering the national security space is a significant trend we must support.

Streamlining Commercial Tech Integration

We are also actively working to simplify the process of integrating commercial technology. This involves both reducing barriers for inbound technology and proactively communicating our requirements to the external tech community. Traditionally, intelligence agencies have maintained a degree of secrecy regarding their needs.

We are initiating a new program to engage directly with investors, venture capitalists, and startups, outlining our challenges and strategic objectives, moving beyond a purely tactical approach to procurement.

External Expertise and Advice

What are your thoughts on individuals like Marc Andreessen advising the President-elect on personnel matters? While highly intelligent, skills may not always translate across industries.

That falls outside my area of expertise. I know many of these individuals and acknowledge their exceptional intelligence. From my perspective as a former CEO, I emphasize the importance of business models within the agency. My computer science background provides a foundation for discussing technology, but my business experience offers valuable insights into efficient operations, scalability, and the impact of technology on business models.

I believe we often overlook the importance of business model considerations within government. We need to analyze how technology is reshaping business models and enabling new opportunities. I consistently frame projects around the question of how the CIA’s business model must evolve in the face of technological advancements and great power competition.

Future Commitment and West Coast Presence

As a non-political appointee, would you consider remaining in your role, or are you prepared to return to Silicon Valley? You’ve been commuting between the coasts for the past five years.

That’s a discussion my family and I are having regularly. I’m currently based in the East Bay, where we reside. My wife has established her career, and our children are settled. I’ve been commuting weekly to Washington, and the travel is taking its toll.

A broader concern is the limited number of individuals with deep Silicon Valley roots currently working in Washington. This is something I find personally troubling. There are very few people in DC with experience similar to mine.

Could we see the CIA establish a secondary hub on the West Coast?

Currently, our headquarters remains firmly established in Langley, Virginia. However, if the incoming administration prioritizes fresh perspectives and increased tech sector involvement, the possibility remains open.