In this episode of Integrity Insights, Filip is joined by Skip Schiphorst of i-Intelligence, a specialist in multilingual open-source intelligence and online research. Skip manages the company’s language-focused OSINT courses, including Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.

The conversation explores a frequently overlooked aspect of OSINT: how to research effectively in foreign languages even if you do not speak them fluently. Skip explains why accurate searching in Arabic, Chinese, and Russian is about far more than translation, and why cultural, political and linguistic context remains essential despite the rise of AI tools.

Key themes discussed

• Language-based OSINT as a specialist discipline
  Skip explains how i-Intelligence trains analysts, journalists, and corporate investigators to search in foreign languages using the right methodology.
• Why translation alone is not enough
  The discussion highlights the limits of Google Translate, AI tools, and literal transliteration when researching foreign companies, individuals, or media sources. Getting the exact local spelling or company name right is often the key to the entire investigation.
• Culture, politics, and context
  Skip emphasizes that language research cannot be separated from local context. Understanding naming conventions, media ecosystems, religion, politics, and regional culture is often essential to interpreting sources correctly.
• Vetting foreign-language sources
  The episode looks at the challenge of judging the reliability of local sources, especially in politically sensitive environments, and why building human networks and simply asking trusted local contacts can be as important as technical search skills.
• AI versus methodology
  Skip reflects on how analysts increasingly turn to AI first, but argues that strong methodology still outperforms overreliance on large language models. In his view, AI can support research, but it cannot replace sound analytical thinking.
• Do you need to speak the language?
  One of the central themes of the episode is that speaking a language and knowing how to research in it are not the same thing. Skip argues that non-native speakers with strong methodology can often outperform native speakers who lack OSINT training.
• Why learning languages still matters
  The conversation closes on the enduring value of language learning, both for research and for human understanding more broadly, especially at a time of increasing geopolitical fragmentation and polarization.

Links:

Searching the Chinese Internet: Foundations Course

https://i-intelligence.eu/courses/searching-the-chinese-internet-foundations

OSINT: Searching the Russian Internet Course

https://i-intelligence.eu/courses/osint-searching-the-russian-internet-virtual-course

OSINT: Searching the Middle Eastern Internet Course

https://i-intelligence.eu/courses/osint-searching-the-arabic-web

Connect with Skip:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skip-schiphorst-721bb6200/

Skip's Instagram page where he shares his language learning techniques

https://www.instagram.com/skipmovestolearn/

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In this episode of Integrity Insights, we are joined by Nico Dekens, a recognized authority in the world of open-source intelligence (OSINT). With over 30 years of experience in the field, Nico shares his insights into the evolving OSINT landscape, the tools and techniques he uses, and the ethical considerations of this critical field. Nico spent over two decades with the Dutch police, working on intelligence and human operations, before transitioning to the private sector where he now leads engineering efforts at Shadow Dragon.

We dive into how OSINT has changed over the years, with new technologies such as AI revolutionizing the process, but also the complexities of using these tools responsibly. Nico shares practical advice on how to start an OSINT investigation, how AI and machine learning are reshaping the future of intelligence, and how to stay up to date in a fast-evolving field. He also gives us a glimpse into his work on high-profile cases, where he uses his investigative skills to piece together puzzles from seemingly limited data.

Key Takeaways:

• The Evolution of OSINT: Nico provides an overview of how OSINT has progressed over the past three decades, with a focus on the increased integration of AI and machine learning in the investigative process.
• Practical OSINT Techniques: Nico explains his approach to conducting investigations, from starting with a name or photo and using facial recognition tools to building actionable intelligence.
• The Ethics of OSINT: Nico discusses the ethical boundaries of OSINT, focusing on the use of publicly available data and the challenges of navigating the dark web and leaks without crossing legal or ethical lines.
• AI and OSINT: While AI tools provide huge advantages in terms of processing large data sets, Nico emphasizes that human judgment remains critical for interpreting and validating the data.

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 – Intro & Background: Nico’s professional journey and his transition from the Dutch police to Shadow Dragon.
• 04:20 – OSINT Techniques: How Nico begins an investigation and the tools he uses, including facial recognition software.
• 10:00 – The Ethics of OSINT: Discussing the ethical challenges and limitations of OSINT, including using publicly available data.
• 15:30 – The Role of AI in OSINT: How AI and machine learning are changing the field and the importance of human oversight.
• 21:45 – The Future of OSINT: The rise of commercial OSINT, network-building in the community, and keeping up with the fast pace of technological change.

Relevant Articles:

• The Slow Collapse of Critical Thinking in AI – Nico’s recent article exploring AI’s limitations in OSINT.
• OSINT is Still a Thinking Game – Discussing the balance between technology and human input in OSINT investigations.

Listen to the Episode:

• Available on Spotify
  , Apple Podcasts
  , and Amazon Music

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AML CFT Roundup 2025: What changed, and what comes next

In this episode of Integrity Insights, Filip is joined by Jennifer Hanley-Giersch to review the biggest AML/CFT developments of 2025. They discuss why the year marked a shift from incremental updates to structural change, driven by AMLA’s launch, preparation for the EU Single Rulebook, tougher sanctions expectations, and a renewed focus on terrorist financing.

Key themes discussed

• AMLA and the EU Single Rulebook
  Although the regulation applies from July 2027, firms face earlier deadlines. From October 2026, national supervisors will collect new risk and controls data to feed AMLA’s risk-scoring model, forcing many institutions to remediate data gaps.
• FinTech and RegTech under pressure
  Supervisors reported rising risk from FinTechs, often linked to weak governance and immature controls. Jennifer highlights that many serious failures involve poorly implemented RegTech tools and lack of expertise.
• Germany: BaFin guidance and FIU progress
  BaFin’s updated guidance increased expectations around risk assessments (including separating money laundering and terrorist financing risk), residual risk, outsourcing oversight, AML officer responsibilities, and customer data update cycles. The German FIU also reported fewer but higher-quality STRs, with more referrals to law enforcement.
• Terrorist financing and crypto enforcement
  Crypto remains a major risk area, but 2025 showed stronger enforcement momentum, including disruption of terrorist fundraising and takedowns of anonymisation infrastructure such as mixers.
• Sanctions and circumvention
  The episode highlights evolving circumvention models linked to Iran and Russia, and the continued willingness of EU and US authorities to impose substantial penalties where firms knowingly facilitate sanctioned interests.
• Cyber fraud and operational resilience
  They close with the growing impact of cybercrime and DORA-driven supervision of critical ICT providers, reinforcing that resilience is now a core component of financial integrity.

Key takeaway: 2025 accelerated the move toward centralised supervision, higher data expectations, and closer links between AML, sanctions, crypto, and cyber resilience.

Related content:

AMLA's work program: https://www.acams.org/en/opinion/amlas-work-program-and-its-enhanced-oversight-of-casps

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