An in-depth study by English researcher Antonia Juelich has brought to light the systematic integration of artificial intelligence by the Boko Haram terrorist organization. Over its quarter-century existence, this group has been responsible for widespread massacres and grave war crimes across northern Nigeria.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly permeating every facet of modern life, and it appears terrorist factions are no exception to its adoption. Juelich’s research specifically details how Boko Haram, a group active in northern Nigeria for over two decades, has consistently leveraged AI for crucial military decision-making.

In recent years, various terrorist groups, notably the Islamic State, have cultivated extensive networks of trainers. These networks include AI specialists from around the globe, deployed to instruct their fighters on the ground.

“Allah has helped us, AI will help us too”

Accounts from Boko Haram members themselves describe training sessions featuring slides and projectors, designed to impart mastery of AI tools. They assert that this newfound knowledge, informed by artificial intelligence, enabled them to troubleshoot and reactivate certain foreign weapons by cleaning them with diesel.

Furthermore, platforms like ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini are reportedly being used to instruct jihadists in the creation of novel and more potent explosive devices for combat scenarios.

The report also highlights a striking instance where terrorists, utilizing AI guidance, learned to navigate a motorcycle across a ditch in a manner reminiscent of an American action film, subsequently executing an assault on a military base in Nigeria.

While these Islamist groups have already employed AI to refine their propaganda efforts, they are now transforming this technology into a formidable operational instrument. This strategic shift is encapsulated in a mantra frequently echoed within Boko Haram’s ranks: “Allah has helped us, AI will help us too.”