FBI ramps up AI use as a key component to counter threats, Patel says

The FBI is accelerating its use of artificial intelligence to counter domestic and international threats, Director Kash Patel said in a post on X on Saturday. Patel described AI as a 'key component' of the bureau’s strategy to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving threat landscape, both at home and on the world stage.

Patel wrote that the FBI has been advancing technology to keep investigators and analysts ahead of bad actors. 'Artificial intelligence is a key component of this,' he said, adding that the bureau has been working on an AI project to assist investigators in the national security space. He also noted that leadership has established a 'technology working group' led by outgoing Deputy Director Dan Bongino to ensure the agency’s tools evolve with the mission. 'These are investments that will pay dividends for America’s national security for decades to come,' Patel said.

An FBI spokesperson told Fox News Digital there was nothing further to add beyond Patel’s X post.

The FBI’s own materials show AI is already used for tools such as vehicle recognition, voice-language identification, speech-to-text analysis and video analytics.

Earlier this week, Bongino announced he would leave the bureau in January, saying he wants to thank President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve.

Patel, reiterating the ongoing push, said the agency’s technology investments will help keep pace with evolving threats and support investigations across national security and other domains for years to come.

The public-facing notes underscore a broader federal effort to integrate AI into investigative workflows, with the FBI signaling it will continue to expand capabilities as threats shift and new tools mature. Bongino’s departure in January aligns with a wider management transition as the bureau emphasizes modernization and rapid iteration in its technology portfolio.