I am excited to join with all of you as we explore some of the most important and forward-thinking topics in the field of intelligence. Together, we have crafted an agenda that promises to benefit all of us, with contributions covering a wide range of critical subjects.

Some of the key areas we will be discussing include the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, as well as international perspectives on intelligence, the intersection of culture and intelligence, and comparative approaches to teaching intelligence. We will also focus on measuring the effectiveness of intelligence and, of course, the critical connection between intelligence and future warfighting. These topics are sure to spark meaningful discussions that will help advance our discipline in productive and innovative ways.

Since assuming the role of President of the National Intelligence University, I have been privileged to travel and engage with leaders across the federal government about the future of intelligence. These conversations have been overwhelmingly positive, with many officials offering their support for initiatives such as this Summit and contributing valuable ideas they hope will shape our discussions. For instance, during a recent conversation with the Department of the Treasury, leaders expressed strong enthusiasm for our work. They highlighted the importance of economic and financial security and emphasized the value of integrating such topics into our efforts to educate the next generation of national security and intelligence professionals. Another common theme has been improving information-sharing across federal, state, and local governments, as well as extending these efforts to private industry partners. As businesses continue to play a growing role in developing the hardware and software that supports the intelligence community, enhancing collaboration and sharing across sectors is becoming ever more critical. So, there is strong support for our efforts across the government.

This Intelligence Studies Summit is a unique and valuable opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and collaborate in shaping the future of the profession. By working closely together, we can ensure that our intelligence community continues to deliver objective, unbiased, and expertly crafted intelligence products that support the safety and security of our nation.

Thank you once again for your participation and ideas. I look forward to engaging with all of you over the next two days, and to building a network of advocates as we move forward to advance the study of this vital discipline.