Boko Haram and other terrorist groups are now utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance their operations and gain battlefield advantages, according to a report by the New York Times, which references a study conducted by University of Cambridge researcher Antonia Juelich.
The study, informed by interviews with former members of Boko Haram, revealed that the insurgents have been using AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and others to seek technical assistance for combat strategies, weapons, and various operational issues.
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One former commander noted that the group began leveraging AI after their assault on a military base was thwarted by a defensive trench. “We saw in a movie how motorcycles can jump over bridges. We used AI to learn how to do this. We fed it information, such as the type of motorcycles we have and the distance needed for the jump, and it provided us with instructions,” he explained.
According to the findings, mechanics modified the motorcycles to enhance speed and acceleration, allowing the fighters to successfully practice the maneuver.
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Former insurgents also indicated that AI was instrumental in obtaining information on weapon repairs and creating improvised explosive devices. One ex-commander referred to AI as “like a human robot,” while another stated, “Trial-and-error can kill you. AI provides precision.”
The study also highlighted that some fighters managed to circumvent chatbot safety measures by masking hazardous inquiries as benign tasks, like pretending the queries were for a film project, and comparing answers from various AI platforms to find the most informative responses.
In reaction to these revelations, OpenAI emphasized that employing its products for terrorism or violence contravenes its policies and that it is continuously enhancing protections against such misuse.
Similarly, Google and Anthropic affirmed that their AI models are designed to reject dangerous requests while bolstering safety measures.
