An English researcher, Antonia Juelich, has unveiled a study exposing the terrorist organization Boko Haram’s “systematic” adoption of artificial intelligence. This group, active for over two decades, has perpetrated numerous atrocities and war crimes across northern Nigeria.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into daily life, and now, terrorist factions are openly harnessing its capabilities. Juelich’s research specifically highlights Boko Haram’s consistent utilization of AI to inform military decision-making within its strongholds in northern Nigeria, where it has operated for more than two decades.
In recent years, various terrorist entities, including the Islamic State, have cultivated extensive training networks. These networks reportedly comprise AI specialists from diverse global backgrounds, deployed directly to the field to educate their combatants.
“Allah helped us, AI will help us too”
Accounts from within Boko Haram describe training sessions, complete with slides and projectors, aimed at instructing members on how to proficiently utilize AI tools. Reportedly, this newfound expertise has enabled them to reactivate previously unusable foreign weaponry, following AI-generated advice on methods such as cleaning components with diesel.
Furthermore, large language models like ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini have allegedly provided jihadists with instructions for constructing novel, more potent explosive devices for battlefield deployment.
The report also details instances where terrorists, guided by AI, mastered complex maneuvers, such as crossing a ditch on a motorcycle in a style reminiscent of action films, to execute an assault on a Nigerian military installation.
While these Islamist factions have long employed AI to refine their propaganda efforts, they are now transitioning this technology into a formidable operational asset. This shift is underscored by a persistent mantra echoed among Boko Haram members: “Allah helped us, AI will help us too.”