logo
Why the CIA hires showbiz people, both for missions and inspiring next generation of spies

Why the CIA hires showbiz people, both for missions and inspiring next generation of spies

At CIA headquarters in Langley, in the US state of Virginia, weapons-trained officers, computer engineers, virologists, nuclear scientists and a wide range of other experts toil away in the complex world of spycraft.
But you will also find storytellers, make-up artists, theatre majors, ballerinas – people who probably never thought their skills would match the needs of a spy agency.
The CIA thought otherwise.
Though it is rarely highlighted, a revolving door of talent exists between America's premier intelligence agency and its entertainment industry, with inspiration and influence often working both ways.
Not only does the agency target professionals at the intersection of arts and technology for recruitment, it cooperates with entertainment giants to inspire the next generation of creative spies, CIA officers said.
This month, the agency is assisting a New York Times bestselling author on a young adult book examining the foundations of the CIA laid during World War II.
Scenes from a major upcoming film production were just shot at its headquarters, a logistical feat at an intelligence campus tucked away in the suburbs behind rings of security perimeters, where officers roam, cracking down on Bluetooth signals. Another popular streaming TV series will be back at Langley to film this autumn.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Global approach' to AI regulation urgently needed, UN tech chief says
‘Global approach' to AI regulation urgently needed, UN tech chief says

South China Morning Post

timean hour ago

  • South China Morning Post

‘Global approach' to AI regulation urgently needed, UN tech chief says

The world urgently needs to find a global approach to regulating artificial intelligence, the United Nations' top tech chief said this week, warning that fragmentation could deepen risks and inequalities. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, head of the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU) agency, said she hoped that AI 'can actually benefit humanity.' But as concerns mount over the risks posed by the fast-moving technology – including fears of mass job losses, the spread of deepfakes and disinformation, and society's fabric fraying – she insisted that regulation was key. 'There's an urgency to try to get … the right framework in place,' she said, stressing the need for 'a global approach.' Her comments came after US President Donald Trump this week unveiled an aggressive, low-regulation strategy aimed at ensuring the United States stays ahead of China on AI. Among more than 90 proposals, Trump's plan calls for sweeping deregulation, with the administration promising to 'remove red tape and onerous regulation' that could hinder private sector AI development.

Global AI regulation urgently needed, UN tech chief says
Global AI regulation urgently needed, UN tech chief says

South China Morning Post

time2 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Global AI regulation urgently needed, UN tech chief says

The world urgently needs to find a global approach to regulating artificial intelligence, the United Nations' top tech chief said this week, warning that fragmentation could deepen risks and inequalities. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, head of the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU) agency, said she hoped that AI 'can actually benefit humanity.' But as concerns mount over the risks posed by the fast-moving technology – including fears of mass job losses, the spread of deepfakes and disinformation, and society's fabric fraying – she insisted that regulation was key. 'There's an urgency to try to get … the right framework in place,' she said, stressing the need for 'a global approach.' Her comments came after US President Donald Trump this week unveiled an aggressive, low-regulation strategy aimed at ensuring the United States stays ahead of China on AI. Among more than 90 proposals, Trump's plan calls for sweeping deregulation, with the administration promising to 'remove red tape and onerous regulation' that could hinder private sector AI development.

How Olympian Jeff Galloway is still running marathons at 80 as he trains for his 237th
How Olympian Jeff Galloway is still running marathons at 80 as he trains for his 237th

South China Morning Post

time7 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

How Olympian Jeff Galloway is still running marathons at 80 as he trains for his 237th

Jeff Galloway tends to be pretty low-key about birthdays, but on July 12 this year, things were decidedly different: the inspirational American Olympian runner turned 80. 'I guess this year, because it had a zero on the end, I got a lot of nice messages – a few thousand actually,' he laughs from his home in Florida, where he lives with his wife of 50 years, Barb, who shares his passion for running. To say Galloway has had a positive impact on the take-up of competitive running would be an understatement. He pioneered the Run-Walk-Run method in 1974 – known informally as 'Jeffing' – a training style that involves strategic, small walk breaks to allow runners to manage fatigue and avoid injury. The method has made finishing a distance event accessible to almost everyone. More than a million runners and walkers have read Galloway's books, attended his retreats and running schools, or had online coaching. Jeff Galloway introduces a group of runners to his Run-Walk-Run method. Photo: Jeff Galloway Anyone can start endurance training with this method, whatever their age, Galloway believes. One of his proudest achievements was getting his then heavily overweight father, Elliott, into running using this method.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store