Spies, Lies, and Algorithms

Authors

Nalonie J.M. Tyrell, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University

Abstract

In Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence, Amy B. Zegart challenges popular “spytainment” myths while offering a clear-eyed assessment of the past, present, and future of American intelligence. Reviewed by Nalonie J.M. Tyrrell, the book serves as both an accessible primer and a strategic warning. Zegart surveys the evolution of the U.S. intelligence community, covering covert action, counterintelligence, oversight, and the growing importance of open-source intelligence. She argues that intelligence agencies are ill-prepared for twenty-first-century challenges posed by empowered adversaries, data overload, technological diffusion, and weak ties to innovation ecosystems such as Silicon Valley. The book also highlights cognitive bias as a systemic vulnerability exacerbated by secrecy and insularity. Particularly relevant for professional military education, Zegart’s analysis highlights the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The review concludes that the book is essential reading for understanding intelligence in an era of strategic competition and algorithm-driven decisionmaking.

Recommended Citation

Nalonie J. Tyrell, "Spies, Lies, and Algorithms," Joint Force Quarterly 119 (4th Quarter 2025), 111-112, https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/joint-force-quarterly/vol119/iss4/16.