How Boko Haram Fighters Are Using AI Chatbots to Plan Attacks and Make Explosives

Summary

A University of Cambridge study based on interviews with 27 former members of Boko Haram’s two factions, ISWAP and JAS, reports that fighters used AI chatbots from major technology companies for technical advice, attack planning and troubleshooting before, during and after operations. Former members said the systems included ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI and DeepSeek, and described organized efforts to train senior personnel, provide laptops and privacy tools, and establish dedicated AI units containing technical and operational specialists. One former JAS commander described a 23-member unit, while about 10 of the 27 interviewees discussed using AI in connection with explosives. Researchers said the main concern was not only the availability of weapons information, but the ability of chatbots to answer specific follow-up questions when users had limited materials or encountered problems. The reported applications also included examining unexploded ordnance, adapting commercial drones, analyzing body-camera footage, handling unfamiliar firearms and assessing ways to overcome battlefield obstacles. Separately, Tech Against Terrorism found pro-ISIL forum discussions about bypassing AI safeguards to obtain weapons-related information. The report says UN officials and security researchers have warned about extremist exploitation of advanced AI, while technology companies maintain that their systems include protections against terrorism, violence and weapons development. Because the interviews mainly concerned activity in 2023 and 2024, the Cambridge researchers expressed concern that more capable systems available by 2026 could increase the risk, although the article does not independently verify every former fighter’s account.