Artificial Intelligence Takes Root in Extremist PropagandaFollowing aMarch terrorist attack in a concert hall near Moscow, the Islamic State celebrated the massacre of over 130 people through a video released online. This clip, running for just over ninety seconds, emulated the format of earlier propaganda but with a significant technological twist: it featured a reporter entirely created using artificial intelligence. With photorealistic appearance and voice, the AI reporter detailed the attack, framed not as an act of terrorism but as a consequence of conflict between Islamic State and those against Islam.The SITE Intelligence Group revealed that this video is part of the “News Harvest” initiative designed to disseminate terrorist acts globally. Every week since the Russia attack, the program has presented key updates. AI has become an unparalleled tool for Islamic State, aiding not only in news dissemination but also in the creation of posters and additional propaganda materials. Rita Katz, the co-founder of SITE Intelligence Group, expressed that AI is an amazing tool for efficient and widespread terrorism propaganda.At its peak, the Islamic State boasted a sizeable audiovisual team, producing high-quality videos compared to Hollywood films. For example, the murder of pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh in February 2015 was portrayed akin to a death advertisement, provoking Karima Bennoune, an author on the unspoken facets of the fight against Muslim fundamentalism, to define the videos as “crudeness pornography.”Speed and Stealth: AI Redefines Terrorist ContentAI simplifies the work of extremist groups significantly, not just in the rate at which they can spread information online, but also in generating content that meets conventional news standards, making it extremely difficult for social media administrators to distinguish from legitimate reporting.Discussions within private Islamic State sympathizer groups reveal their recognition of AI as a potent tool. One user reflected on the potential to emulate mainstream media outlets for a more engaging presentation instead of traditional text reading and static imagery.AI’s rapid advancement promises even greater simplicity for media manipulation, considered as crucial as on-ground combat by some supporters due to its immense impact on public perception.Steven Stalinsky, Executive Director of the Middle East Media Research Institute, clarified to The Washington Post that while the current production isn’t officially part of the Islamic State’s media wing, endorsement by the top leadership is likely. Recruitment advertisements are even soliciting young “media mujahideen” skilled in AI and photo and video editing software, stating “the media awaits your attack.”Al-Qaeda has also shown interest in sophisticated propaganda tools, organizing online AI workshops and providing a fifty-page document with instructions for creating images and texts using chatbots with artificial intelligence.AI Utilization Controversy Among FollowersDespite the clear benefits, not all Islamic State adherents are on board with AI use. Some criticize it on various online platforms for violating Islamic law prohibiting the depiction of human figures. The creator of a video from the “News Harvest” series faced threats of punishment in the afterlife for this transgression. Yet, he sought religious counsel resulting in a workaround; he modified his videos by blurring the faces to align with religious doctrine.The use of AI technology by extremist groups such as the Islamic State (IS) for propaganda purposes has introduced new dynamics in the way propaganda is produced and distributed. Here are some additional facts, key questions, challenges, and controversies associated with the topic:Key Questions:1. How has AI technology changed the landscape of terrorist propaganda?2. What are the ethical implications of AI-generated content being used for extremist purposes?3. How can counter-terrorism efforts adapt to address the use of AI in terrorist propaganda?4. What role do social media platforms play in moderating AI-generated extremist content?Key Challenges and Controversies:One of the primary challenges is the rapid dissemination of extremist content. AI technology has made it easier for terrorist organizations to produce propaganda at a faster rate and with quality that can mimic legitimate news sources. This complicates the efforts of social media platforms to identify and remove extremist content.Another controversy surrounds the adherence to religious doctrine within the extremist groups themselves. The use of human images is considered a violation of Islamic law by some adherents, which has led to internal disagreements and challenges in deploying AI-generated human figures in propaganda.Advantages:For extremist groups:– Increased efficiency in spreading messages and ideology.– Enhanced ability to reach a global audience with convincing and high-quality content.– Ability to remain anonymous and reduce risk to human members who would have otherwise appeared in the videos.Disadvantages:For society and counter-terrorism efforts:– AI-generated propaganda can be difficult to detect and moderate due to its realistic appearance.– There’s a risk of such content radicalizing individuals and encouraging acts of terrorism.– Fighting this type of high-tech propaganda requires sophisticated tools and strategies, potentially increasing the cost and complexity of counter-terrorism operations.For those interested in learning more about the impacts of AI on society at large, you might visit the websites of research institutions and organizations that focus on AI ethics and policy, such as:– AI Global– Future of Life InstitutePlease note, these links should serve as starting points for learning more about AI and its societal implications and are not directly related to extremist use of AI as such.
