Intelligence analysts must sift through massive amounts of information, using perspective gained from history and experience to pull together from disparate sources the best coherent picture of what is happening. Today's world has grown far more complex, but human cognitive abilities have remained unchanged. This project is tackling this problem by exploring how to tightly combine three kinds of AI techniques: deductive reasoning over a large common sense knowledge base, analogical reasoning, and intelligent information retrieval, to create new power tools for intelligence analysts. The hypothesis being explored is that these techniques can be combined synergistically, each overcoming limitations of the others. The team has access to detailed data about how analysts work and opportunities for feedback about prototypes through Cycorp's participation in ARDA/NIMD's Glass Box Analysis Environment, which records the information streams analysts use while working on unclassified but representative problems. This work could have a significant positive impact on homeland security.
