All about Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has already fallen into the hands of terrorist groups. A report points out that the Islamic State is using AI to create anchors and propagate news and ideals linked to the extremist movement. One of these broadcasts took place shortly after an attack on a concert hall in Russia, in March this year, which left at least 133 people dead.
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Anchor is a clone generated by artificial intelligence
The broadcast lasted 92 seconds and showed an anchor in a helmet and group uniform saying that the attack was not a terrorist operation, but part of the “normal context of the violent war between the Islamic State and countries fighting against Islam.” The person responsible for communication, however, was not a real person, but a clone generated by artificial intelligence. The Islamic State news even has an official name: News Harvest. Since March, videos have been released almost weekly about Islamic State operations around the world. It’s unclear what AI technology is being used.
Terrorist news created with AI (Image: reproduction/SITE Intelligence Group)
Using technology to attract new supporters
This is the first official record of the use of artificial intelligence by terrorist groups. Analysts point out that the Islamic State is already known for maintaining a large media operation, which creates recruitment videos for young people, for example. The use of AI now allows the extremist group to create content even more easily and cheaply.
Some exchanges of messages intercepted by global authorities confirm the intention of the Islamic State. On March 15, a supporter identified as “Al Kurdi 500” advocated adopting the technology. “It would be great if the brothers produced videos about daily news, as an alternative to reading news in text and looking at images like news channels like Al Jazeera. The media is as important as physical warfare, if not more so. Because it has a huge influence on people,” he said.
Terrorist attack in Moscow left more than 100 people dead and ushered in the use of AI by the Islamic State (Image: Studio MDF/Shutterstock)
Seven days after the message, terrorists attacked a concert hall in Moscow, Russia. And on March 26, the first episode of News Harvest was published. This content is even posted on networks such as Telegram and X (formerly Twitter). The companies were contacted by The Washington Post, but did not officially comment on the matter.
Also according to security reports, other terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda, are also discussing the use of AI. On February 9, a group affiliated with the Islamic movement announced it would begin organizing online workshops. The next day, a 50-page guide titled “Amazing Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence Chat Bots” was released.
