Balancing Urgency and Accuracy in OSINT-Driven Decisions

Original broadcast 5/20/25

Presented by Seerist & Carahsoft

Kristen Hajduk, Vice President of Business Development and Capture at Seerist, delivers a strategic perspective on a persistent tension in open source intelligence: the demand for speed versus the necessity for clarity. She warns that fast data, without contextual depth, can actually increase operational risk. OSINT that lacks analytical framing may lead decision-makers to act on incomplete or misleading insights.

Hajduk explains that Seerist’s approach to OSINT is built on a dual-engine model: machine learning and human analysis working in tandem. The platform uses AI to parse massive datasets and identify emerging trends, while experienced analysts review, validate, and enrich the findings. This human-machine collaboration enhances both the accuracy and speed of the intelligence products, with each layer informing and improving the other.

She introduces the concept of “speed with clarity”—an imperative in environments where decisions must be made quickly but still depend on trustworthy intelligence. Seerist’s platform features forecasting tools that use geopolitical, economic, and climate indicators to predict changes in regional stability. These insights help agencies get “left of boom”—anticipating crises and preparing responses before events unfold. This forward-leaning posture can help prevent escalation or surprise.

However, Hajduk points out that producing high-quality intelligence is only part of the equation. The other major challenge is integration. Many agencies operate across classified and unclassified systems, and data movement between those environments can be slow. Seerist offers flexible solutions that enable users to interact with the same intelligence across classification domains, allowing real-time use in the field and long-term analysis in secure environments.

Another key consideration is how OSINT integrates with internal government data. Hajduk notes that agencies are increasingly looking for platforms that can complement, not replace, existing datasets. OSINT adds the most value when it can be layered with internal intelligence, enhancing rather than duplicating what agencies already know.

Ultimately, Hajduk calls for agencies to demand more from their vendors—not just raw data or slick dashboards, but clarity, context, and evidence of performance. She believes OSINT must mature into a discipline where speed is not achieved at the expense of quality—and where technology supports, rather than replaces, human judgment.

Key Takeaways:

• OSINT must deliver “speed with clarity,” pairing rapid insights with rigorous validation.
  
  
• Human-AI collaboration enhances the quality and actionability of open source intelligence.
  
  
• Integration across classified and unclassified systems is essential for timely decision-making.

This program was part of the program Innovation in Government: OSINT Edition filmed on location at the OSINT Tech Expo on May 2, 2025.