A recent study by British researcher Antonia Juelich has brought to light the systematic deployment of artificial intelligence by the Boko Haram terrorist organization. This group, notorious for two decades of massacres and war crimes primarily in northern Nigeria, is now leveraging advanced technology for its military objectives.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into daily life, and now, terrorist factions are openly embracing it. Juelich’s findings specifically detail how Boko Haram, which has operated in northern Nigeria for over 20 years, systematically incorporates AI into its military decision-making processes.
In recent years, various terrorist entities, notably the Islamic State, have cultivated extensive networks of trainers. These networks include AI specialists from across the globe, deployed to instruct troops on the ground.
“Allah has helped us, AI will help us too”
Accounts from Boko Haram members describe structured training sessions, complete with slides and projectors, aimed at mastering AI tools. Through this newfound expertise, they claim to have successfully reactivated certain foreign weapons by cleaning them with diesel, a technique reportedly advised by artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, platforms like ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini are said to have instructed jihadists in the creation of novel and more potent explosives for battlefield use.
The report also highlights an instance where terrorists, guided by AI, learned to execute a motorcycle jump across a ditch, reminiscent of an action film, to launch an assault on a Nigerian military base.
Beyond its established use in propaganda, Islamist groups are thus transforming AI into a critical operational asset. This shift is underscored by a mantra frequently heard within Boko Haram ranks: “Allah has helped us, AI will help us too.”
