Shaping NATO’s Human Intelligence Enterprise
For more than 15 years, the Human Intelligence Centre of Excellence, located in Oradea, Bihor, Romania, has played a vital role in strengthening NATO’s human intelligence capability. With additional support from the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Türkiye, and the United States, this NATO-accredited institution continues to advance interoperability, standardization, and innovation across the human intelligence field.
Central to this mission is the Centre’s work in doctrine development and standardization. Its leadership in updating NATO’s human intelligence doctrine and standards is informed by operational lessons learned, evolving security dynamics, and advancements in technology. Through active participation in the Military Committee Joint Standardization Board and support for NATO policy development, the Centre helps ensure that human intelligence remains operationally relevant and aligned with broader Alliance priorities.
Driving Innovation Through Emerging Technologies
One of the main objectives of the Centre is to promote innovation and demonstrate the feasibility of new ideas by developing and experimenting proof-of-concept tools and methodologies, in partnership with academia. This includes using Artificial Intelligence in support of Human Intelligence, which has paved the way for additional projects such as:
- Human-to-Human Rapport Building (H2H-RB): A proof-of-concept tool that uses artificial intelligence to evaluate rapport-building performance in training environments. Based on psychological models, the resulting products have demonstrated tangible impact in assessing rapport-building performance, and in developing various training scenarios and vignettes, for implementing them in education and training.
- Harmonized Data – Integrated Learning (HDIL): A project that automates the analysis of NATO documentation and human intelligence literature to improve knowledge management and production efficiency in secure environments.
- QUESTIX: A serious-game training platform using artificial intelligence to enhance questioning techniques and source approach planning. Full integration into NATO education and training systems is expected by the end of 2025.
- Human-to-Human Engagement (H2HE) in an AI-Dominated Cognitive Environment: A forward-looking study examining the impact of emerging technology on human-to-human communication. It explores how technology and AI influences interpersonal interactions in both online and face-to-face settings. The project aims to provide intersectional communication models in human engagement, as a first step toward creating an AI companion. In other words: a support tool designed to assist human intelligence professionals with real-time interaction analysis and improvement, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of human engagement in intelligence operations.
Leading NATO’s Human Intelligence Education and Training
As Department Head for NATO’s human intelligence education and training discipline, the Centre coordinates a wide-ranging portfolio of certified courses, including residential, blended, and advanced distributed learning formats. In addition to these offerings, the Centre provides tailored instruction, subject-matter expertise for professional or academic events, and Mobile Education and Training Teams.
Beyond individual training, the Centre contributes to NATO collective training, exercises, and evaluation. Its experts support the planning, conduct, and assessment of dedicated human intelligence events, helping align education with operational requirements. Human capital development remains a core focus, with ongoing studies on selection strategies and assessment centre design to strengthen human resources within the discipline.
Learning from the Field to Inform the Future
The Centre actively supports NATO’s Lessons Learned process by collecting and analyzing data from both NATO and partner missions. It contributes subject-matter experts to NATO evaluation teams and provides actionable recommendations to enhance the Alliance’s human intelligence capability.
By integrating real-world insights into doctrine, training, and concept development, the Centre ensures that NATO’s human intelligence efforts remain agile, responsive, and aligned with operational demands.
A Lasting Commitment to Operational Relevance
After fifteen years of service, the Human Intelligence Centre of Excellence continues to evolve as a key driver of NATO’s human intelligence development. Through its commitment to innovation, education, and transformation, the Centre remains focused on supporting NATO commanders with timely, mission-relevant capabilities that enhance situational awareness and inform operational planning.
To learn more about the Centre’s work, visit the official website.