A recent investigation by English researcher Antonia Juelich has brought to light the systematic deployment of artificial intelligence by the terrorist organization Boko Haram. This group, active for over two decades in northern Nigeria, has been responsible for countless atrocities and war crimes.
Artificial intelligence is deeply integrated into many aspects of modern life, and it appears terrorist factions are no exception. Juelich’s study conclusively demonstrates that Boko Haram, which has plagued northern Nigeria for more than 20 years, systematically leverages AI to inform its military decision-making processes.
In recent years, various terrorist groups, notably the Islamic State, have cultivated extensive networks of trainers. These networks include AI specialists from across the globe, deployed to instruct their operatives in advanced technological applications.
“allah helped us, ai will help us too”
Accounts from Boko Haram members detail structured training sessions, complete with slides and projectors, designed to impart mastery of AI tools. With this newfound expertise, they claim to have successfully reactivated certain foreign weapons. Their method involved cleaning the armaments with diesel, a technique reportedly advised by artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, platforms such as ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini are said to have instructed these jihadists in the creation of novel and more potent explosives for combat scenarios.
The report also highlights a specific instance where terrorists, guided by AI, learned to execute a motorcycle jump over a ditch, reminiscent of an American action film, to assault a military installation in Nigeria.
While these Islamist groups have long utilized AI to refine their propaganda efforts, this technology is now clearly transitioning into a potent operational instrument. This shift is underscored by a prevailing motto within Boko Haram’s ranks: “Allah helped us, AI will help us too.”
