A recent study by English researcher Antonia Juelich has brought to light a concerning development: the terrorist organization Boko Haram is systematically employing artificial intelligence in its operations. This group, responsible for countless massacres and war crimes across northern Nigeria over its quarter-century existence, is now integrating advanced technology into its military decision-making processes.

As artificial intelligence increasingly permeates daily life, extremist factions are not hesitating to exploit its capabilities. Juelich’s research specifically details how Boko Haram, a dominant force in northern Nigeria for over two decades, has adopted AI as a core component for strategic planning and tactical execution.

In recent years, various terrorist entities, notably including the Islamic State, have cultivated extensive networks of trainers. These networks comprise AI specialists recruited globally, deployed to instruct operatives in the field on how to harness these powerful digital tools.

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

Accounts from within Boko Haram describe detailed training sessions, complete with slides and projectors, aimed at mastering AI tools. Through this newfound technological expertise, members claim to have successfully reactivated foreign weapons, cleaning them with diesel based on AI-generated advice, thereby gaining a tactical advantage.

Furthermore, prominent AI models such as ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini have reportedly been utilized to instruct jihadists in the creation of more sophisticated and effective explosive devices for combat situations.

The study also highlights instances where terrorists, guided by AI, learned to execute complex maneuvers, such as vaulting a ditch on a motorcycle in a dramatic, cinematic fashion, to launch an assault on a military base in Nigeria.

This marks a critical evolution: Islamist groups are transitioning artificial intelligence from merely a propaganda instrument into a formidable operational asset. This strategic shift is underscored by a powerful mantra echoing through Boko Haram’s ranks: “Allah has helped us, AI will help us too.”