Ex-CIA Chief Joins Disinformation Firm, Signaling New Era in AI-Powered Threat Mitigation

By Susan Powell | November 04, 2025

As the battle against disinformation intensifies, a growing number of experts with backgrounds in national security are turning to the private sector to develop cutting-edge defense mechanisms. The latest example: Brinker, an AI-native narrative intelligence company, announced today that Bob Flores, former Chief Technology Officer of the CIA, has joined its advisory board. This move signals a potential shift in how disinformation is combated – moving beyond simple detection to proactive, real-time mitigation.

Brinker, founded by Benny Schnaider, Daniel Ravner, and Oded Breiner, isn’t focused on simply identifying false narratives. The company’s platform uses proprietary AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze how these narratives evolve, spread, and impact public opinion. Their approach is designed to not only detect disinformation but to actively neutralize it through a suite of mitigation tools – from content removal requests and pre-legal actions to targeted counter-narratives and media publications.

Flores’s appointment, coupled with the recent addition of Avi Kastan, former CEO of threat intelligence firm Sixgill (acquired in 2024), highlights Brinker’s ambition to become a central player in the rapidly evolving disinformation defense market. “Most disinformation efforts fail because they rely on manual operations that can’t match the speed and scale of today’s influence campaigns,” Flores stated in a press release. “Brinker’s AI-native approach enables responses that were previously impossible, turning real-time analysis and large-scale mitigation into a reality.”

From Detection to Mitigation: A Paradigm Shift

For years, the focus of disinformation defense has been primarily on detection – identifying false or misleading content before it goes viral. However, many experts argue that this approach is no longer sufficient. By the time a piece of disinformation is detected, the damage may already be done. Brinker’s proactive mitigation strategy aims to address this limitation by intervening before a narrative gains widespread traction.

“The challenge isn’t just finding the bad information; it’s stopping it from spreading and taking hold,” explains one industry analyst who requested anonymity. “Companies like Brinker are trying to build systems that can anticipate and disrupt these narratives in real-time. It’s a much more ambitious approach, but it could be significantly more effective.”

The Role of AI and LLMs

At the heart of Brinker’s platform is its AI-native architecture and proprietary LLM. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on manual analysis and keyword filtering, Brinker’s system uses machine learning to understand the context and intent behind a narrative. This allows it to identify subtle forms of disinformation that might otherwise go undetected.

“AI is crucial in this space,” says another source familiar with the technology. “The sheer volume of information being generated online makes it impossible for humans to keep up. AI can help us automate the process of identifying and analyzing disinformation, and it can also help us develop more effective mitigation strategies.”

However, experts caution that AI is not a silver bullet. “AI models can be biased, and they can be fooled by sophisticated disinformation campaigns,” notes one AI researcher. “It’s important to have human oversight and to continuously monitor the performance of these systems.”

A Growing Market with Heightened Competition

The disinformation defense market is becoming increasingly crowded, with a growing number of companies offering solutions for detecting and mitigating false narratives. Brinker faces competition from established players like Graphika and NewsGuard, as well as emerging startups like Blackbird AI and Cyble.

“The market is definitely heating up,” says one venture capitalist who invests in cybersecurity companies. “There’s a lot of interest in this space, and a lot of innovation happening. The companies that will succeed are the ones that can demonstrate a clear competitive advantage and a sustainable business model.”

Brinker’s strategy of focusing on proactive mitigation, combined with its AI-native architecture and the expertise of its advisory board, could give it a significant edge. The acquisition of Sixgill also bolsters its capabilities, bringing in valuable threat intelligence expertise.

The Future of Information Warfare Defense

The addition of Flores, a veteran of the intelligence community, signals a growing trend: the convergence of national security expertise and private sector innovation. As disinformation continues to pose a threat to democratic institutions and public health, the demand for effective defense mechanisms will only increase.

“We’re entering a new era of information warfare,” says one security analyst. “The tools and techniques used to spread disinformation are becoming more sophisticated, and the stakes are higher than ever. Companies like Brinker are on the front lines of this battle, and their success will be critical to protecting our information ecosystem.”

Whether Brinker’s approach will ultimately prove effective remains to be seen. However, its focus on proactive mitigation, combined with its investment in AI and its strong advisory board, positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of disinformation defense. The company's trajectory will be closely watched by those seeking to safeguard the integrity of information in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.