- The OSINT Combine CEO has highlighted the need for an OSINT platform that could empower agency decision-makers
- Signal-to-noise reduction is named as a top data challenge
- AI positioned as a force multiplier, not a replacement, for analysts
Chris Poulter, founder and CEO of OSINT Combine, said government agencies need an open-source intelligence platform that could help their decision-makers follow the chain of intelligence and have confidence in the reliability of the results.
In an article published on Carahsoft.com, Poulter wrote that the large amount of available information can make it difficult for leaders to focus on what matters most to their decisions.
“Given the huge volumes of available information, however, the biggest challenge may be reducing the signal-to-noise ratio so leaders receive only the intelligence that’s relevant to their decision-making needs,” he noted.
What Should Agencies Consider When Adopting OSINT?
Poulter said integrating OSINT into government workflows carries several considerations. Agencies need personnel trained in OSINT tradecraft as well as tools matched to their specific mission requirements, he said.
He added that information gathered through OSINT must be validated and explainable, with governance and auditability built in so decision-makers can trust the chain of intelligence from source to final assessment. Poulter noted that publicly available information is not always reliable, since it can be manipulated for malicious purposes, and recommended that data be compiled from multiple sources and corroborated with other forms of intelligence.
How Does AI Serve as a Force Multiplier for Analysts?
Poulter said artificial intelligence has expanded analysts’ ability to cut through large volumes of data, though AI models carry their own biases, much like human analysts do. He pointed to differences between AI models built in different countries as an example. As reasoning models advance, Poulter said their explainability is improving, giving analysts more visibility into how a model reached a given conclusion.
He described three categories of OSINT users that are emerging: those who reject AI tools outright over concerns about explainability and accountability; those who rely solely on general-purpose AI tools for answers; and a middle group that combines AI with human judgment. Poulter said the most effective approach treats AI as a force multiplier for human judgment rather than as a sole source of answers.
What Is NexusXplore?
NexusXplore is a flagship OSINT platform developed by OSINT Combine to support all stages of the intelligence cycle. The platform is designed to function as a single, all-in-one workspace for analysts, combining human-led and AI-assisted methods so users can begin and complete investigations without switching between separate tools.
Poulter said the platform brings together decision-support and analytical tools to help analysts trace the connection between raw data and their conclusions, while working within the full range of publicly available information sources.
“Our platform is unique in that analysts can use AI to its fullest or not at all and still achieve the same outcome. Every source is traceable and every insight is defensible, which means analysts can understand what’s going on and trust the integrity of the intelligence,” Poulter noted.
