Hume Seminar Series: Science, Technology and Games: How the CIA Fosters Creativity

About the Event

Join us for a conversation with CIA's Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Todd Lowery, on the power of stories and creativity in intelligence. What is "the Inflectors Project" all about? Can playfulness be a key attribute in a successful career as an intelligence officer? And how do gaming and innovation relate to each other and to national security?

About the Speaker

Todd Lowery – Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology

Todd R. Lowery was appointed Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology effective July 2021 and had been Associate Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology since August 2017.

Previously Mr. Lowery served as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. In this capacity, Mr. Lowery was the principal intelligence adviser to the Secretary of Defense, exercising authority, direction, and control on behalf of the Secretary of Defense over all intelligence and security organizations within the Department of Defense, including the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, the Defense Security Service and the intelligence components of the combatant commands and military services.

As the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Mr. Lowery oversaw multiple multimillion dollar programs and the intelligence interests within the Battlespace Awareness portfolio. He was also dual-hatted as the Director of Defense Intelligence in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, reporting to the DNI. He was the Department's principal interface with the Central Intelligence Agency and other elements of the Intelligence Community.

From May 2015 to January 2017 Mr. Lowery performed the duties of the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence where he served as the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

Mr. Lowery was appointed the Executive Director for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence on December 19, 2014, responsible for advising on matters pertaining to oversight of intelligence collection, special access programs, national and military intelligence programs and resources, and the strategic management of the organization.

From 2011-2014, he served as the Senior Adviser to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. Mr. Lowery advised on special access programs and sensitive acti\/ities related to counterterrorism, counter-proliferation, support to sensitive operations, and hard target intelligence collection and capabilities.

From 2007-2011, Mr. Lowery was the Special Assistant and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low-Intensity Conflict and Integrated Capabilities (SO/LIC&IC) where he focused on counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, counter-narcotics, and Special Operations Forces activities as well as overall management of the organization.

From 2005-2007, he served in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Strategy and Policy Planning offices, focusing on war planning and long-term competition. He supported the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, and co-authored the Department of Defense's 2006 and 2007 Annual Report to Congress on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China.

Prior to entering government service in 2005, Mr. Lowery worked at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments conducting studies and analysis on the future of warfare and military technologies. He has a BA from Frostburg State University, a MA from the University of Chicago, and a PhD from the University of Maryland.Join us for a conversation with CIA's Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Todd Lowery, on the power of stories and creativity in intelligence. What is "the Inflectors Project" all about? Can playfulness be a key attribute in a successful career as an intelligence officer? And how do gaming and innovation relate to each other and to national security?

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sarah Downer at humecenter@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.