Boko Haram using AI to build explosives, plan attacks – Report

A new report has raised fresh concerns over the evolving tactics of Boko Haram insurgents, revealing that members of the terrorist group are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to acquire knowledge on explosives, military tactics and operational planning.

The findings, published by The New York Times on Friday, indicate that some Boko Haram fighters have turned to AI-powered chatbots to obtain information that could enhance their ability to carry out attacks, underscoring the growing security risks posed by the misuse of advanced digital technologies.

According to the report, the insurgents have used AI systems to seek guidance on subjects including weapons maintenance, military strategies, battlefield logistics and the construction of explosive devices.

The revelations have intensified concerns among counterterrorism experts, policymakers and technology researchers over the possibility that generative AI platforms could be exploited by violent extremist organisations despite safeguards designed to prevent such misuse.

The report was based on a study conducted by Dr. Antonia Juelich, a terrorism and technology researcher at the University of Cambridge. Her research drew from interviews with former Boko Haram fighters and commanders conducted over the past year in Nigeria.

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According to the study, several former insurgents disclosed that AI tools had become a convenient resource for solving practical operational challenges encountered during missions.

One former Boko Haram commander recalled an incident in which an assault on a military installation was nearly abandoned because fighters were unable to cross a defensive trench built around the base.

The commander said the group turned to an AI chatbot for assistance by providing operational details such as the type of motorcycles they used and the distance they needed to cover.

“We used AI to learn how to do this. We gave it information, like what motorcycles we use and the distance we need to jump and so on, and it gave us steps on what we have to do,” the former commander was quoted as saying.

The report noted that the use of AI extended beyond battlefield mobility, with insurgents reportedly relying on the technology to address a range of tactical and technical problems encountered during operations.

Security analysts say the findings illustrate how extremist groups are adapting to emerging technologies, making counterterrorism efforts increasingly complex. They warn that while leading AI developers have introduced safeguards to limit harmful use, determined actors may still attempt to exploit publicly available tools to support violent activities.

Experts have also stressed the need for closer collaboration between governments, technology companies and cybersecurity specialists to strengthen safeguards against the misuse of AI while preserving its legitimate applications in education, healthcare, business and scientific research.

Boko Haram, which has waged an insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East for more than a decade, has been responsible for thousands of deaths, mass displacement and widespread destruction. The latest findings suggest that as technology evolves, security agencies may also need to adapt their strategies to address the emerging digital dimensions of modern terrorism.