CIA Looks to Speed Up Access to New Tech In Race Against China

The Central Intelligence Agency is looking to speed up its access to breakthrough technologies in an effort to better compete with China.

The US spy agency on Monday announced plans for a new acquisition framework that would cut red-tape and optimize vendor vetting to quicken the ability deploy more innovative tools.

In an emailed statement, CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis said the agency was entering a range of commercial partnerships with startups and industry leaders in areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, financial technology and micro-chips. He called on firms “pushing the boundaries of emerging technologies” to help the CIA “stay ...