Terrorists Use AI To Help Them Kill People

Take Action

A researcher interviewed 27 former members of Boko Haram, a terror group in Nigeria. They reported widespread use of AI to plan terror attacks, design explosives, and troubleshoot weapons.

The terrorists were trained by the Islamic State, whose operatives visit jihadist groups and teach them how to use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, and DeepSeek. If one chatbot refuses to help, they simply use a different one.

The trainers supplied laptops with location-hiding software and showed how to get around chatbot safety restrictions. Other ISIS-linked groups also provide remote tech support and publish guides on using AI tools for terrorism.

They're Well Organized

Boko Haram assigned senior personnel to dedicated AI teams. They help with strategic planning, logistics, and day-to-day operations. Access to AI is tightly controlled because of worries about internet tracking. But specialized units are allowed to use it, and they filter information down to the lower ranks.

Using AI for Problem Solving

Some of the information the terrorists sought was general knowledge, such as vehicle repair. But AI also helped them build bombs, weaponize drones, and improve their combat strategies.

For example:

  • The terrorists had trouble attacking a military base that was protected by trenches. AI coached them on motorcycle jumping to get over the trenches.
  • One fighter described wearing a camera that sent combat images back to camp. A commander uploaded them to ChatGPT for live analysis and relayed tactical adjustments back to the fighters.
  • Much of Boko Haram's weaponry is looted from the Nigerian military. They sometimes struggled to use the stolen equipment. Now they just ask Grok to identify a weapon and explain how to reload and service it.

Why It Matters

This research describes activity from 2023 to 2025. Since then, terror groups have probably gotten even better at using AI. Although this study didn't find much use of AI for creating chemical or biological weapons, some commanders said they'd be open to trying.

Terrorists were already using AI to create propaganda and help with recruitment. But now, it's better understood how it helps them in combat. The way terror groups around the world are using AI suggests they see it as an effective tool.

As AI becomes more powerful, bad actors can use it in harmful ways. Politicians are paying attention when people contact them about these concerns.

Sources

Quotes

  • Former Boko Haram Commander: "You type in the question or use your voice and it gives you a detailed answer, like ‘How can I build a bomb?’ and then it tells you how. It is like a human robot. We used it a lot."
  • Former Boko Haram Commander: "We have people in different places who set up accounts that can’t be linked to us. They also pay for the subscriptions."
  • Former Boko Haram Commander: "There is a specific unit in Sambisa that is dedicated to AI. They don’t go to war. Their role is to disseminate information on how to use AI. They are training the people in the hierarchy... There are 23 in the unit. They have a special room that is powered with solar."
  • Former Boko Haram Technical Specialist: "When we managed to seize a sophisticated weapon, the leaders took it to a room where they typed in the number of the weapon. It then tells you what model it is, how it will be loaded, used, and serviced."
  • Former Boko Haram Fighter: "AI taught us about substances we can use to fill a can. Then you add some matches, seal it, and you got a hand bomb."
  • Antonia Juelich: "This report finds that both factions of Boko Haram use frontier AI, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, and DeepSeek, to assist in combat and day-to-day operations. This AI use is institutionalized through specialized units and internal training. It has aided in attack planning, weapons troubleshooting, and the design of explosive devices, as users have successfully circumvented some safeguards."
  • Antonia Juelich: "the risk is that AI serves as a force multiplier, lowering barriers to entry for potential attackers, enhancing the capabilities of threat actors, and enabling novel attack vectors that were not previously possible."