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Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials said the department has launched its CIA Labs, its first lab mechanism designed to drive science and technology breakthroughs amid intelligence challenges.

“Some phenomenal innovations have come from CIA over the years, and with CIA Labs, we’re now better positioned to optimize developments and further invest in our scientists and technologists,” Dawn Meyerriecks, head of CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology, said. “In an evolving threat landscape, CIA Labs will help us maintain our competitive edge and protect our nation.”

The initiative integrates into a legion of more than 300 federal labs and establishes the CIA as a research partner for other labs, academia, and industry in disciplines spanning from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to quantum computing and advanced materials and manufacturing.

The effort also enables officers to obtain patents and licenses for intellectual property developed while working at the CIA and provides internship and externship opportunities.

Authorities indicated CIA Labs research areas would include advanced materials and manufacturing; artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics; bioscience and biotechnology; distributed ledger/blockchain-enabled technologies; virtual and augmented reality; high performance and quantum computing; future wireless and telecommunications technologies; and robotic, autonomous, and human interface systems.