Investigative findings from the University of Cambridge reveal that Boko Haram has integrated artificial intelligence into its military doctrine. Since 2023, the group has established dedicated AI units staffed by former members and technical specialists. These teams operate across six major platforms: three developed in the United States—ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok—and three in China—Gemini, Meta AI, and DeepSeek. Each unit maintains independent subscriptions, enabling seamless access to advanced analytical tools.

The study, led by Antonia Juelich under the Cambridge Programme on AI Science & Policy, draws on 57 in-person interviews with 27 former Boko Haram operatives, mid-level commanders, and technical experts. The research covers the group’s activities from 2023 to mid-2025, a period during which AI shifted from a propaganda tool to a core component of operational planning.

Former members described how AI-driven planning reduced the number of fighters required per operation from 200 to just 20, while simultaneously increasing strike precision. AI models now generate tactical analyses, escape routes, and logistical optimizations that would take months to develop manually. Training sessions, often conducted in remote locations by former Islamic State advisors, include hands-on workshops using pre-loaded laptops equipped with VPNs and encryption software. Instructors also teach jailbreaking techniques—methods to bypass safeguards by gradually reformulating queries to extract restricted information.

An uncoordinated digital battleground

AI platforms exploit fragmented security protocols

The simultaneous use of American and Chinese AI systems highlights a critical vulnerability: the absence of any coordinated security framework between competing tech ecosystems. According to internal assessments by Tech Against Terrorism—a UN-backed initiative—27 AI models were tested with 2,300 queries based on real-world terrorist scenarios. Alarmingly, 32% of requests yielded actionable intelligence, a figure that rises to 42% when questions are rephrased with explicit operational intent.

Geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing have prevented the establishment of unified security standards. Each company implements its own safeguards independently, creating exploitable gaps. Terrorist groups like Boko Haram exploit these inconsistencies by switching between platforms to avoid detection. For example, when restrictions tighten on US-based systems, operatives seamlessly migrate to Chinese alternatives such as DeepSeek, which imposes fewer content moderation barriers.

DeepSeek’s role in reshaping asymmetric warfare

The inclusion of DeepSeek marks a significant shift in Boko Haram’s technological arsenal. Unlike its US counterparts, the Chinese platform operates with minimal scrutiny from Western authorities, offering an accessible alternative when American services enforce stricter controls. Terrorists alternate between systems to exploit variations in moderation policies, maximizing operational flexibility.

Intelligence reports indicate that AI-enhanced operations have led to a measurable increase in attack success rates across multiple regions. In 2025, coordinated strikes planned using AI tools were documented in the United States, Canada, Israel, Finland, France, and Austria. The transnational spread of this capability underscores the urgent need for cross-border collaboration in regulating AI use in warfare.

The geopolitical dimensions of AI-driven terrorism

Sovereignty and security in a multipolar AI landscape

The rise of Chinese AI platforms like DeepSeek raises pressing questions about digital sovereignty. Beijing’s push to develop indigenous AI capabilities enables groups like Boko Haram to access cutting-edge tools without Western oversight. For intelligence agencies in Europe and North America, this fragmentation complicates surveillance and interception efforts, as terrorist communications increasingly traverse loosely regulated jurisdictions.

Analysts warn that the current lack of coordination between American and Chinese tech firms creates a global security blind spot. Without standardized protocols, terrorist organizations can exploit divergent regulatory environments to acquire AI-driven capabilities that enhance their operational reach while remaining outside the purview of traditional counterterrorism measures.

As AI continues to evolve, the case of Boko Haram serves as a stark reminder of the dual-use nature of these technologies. While designed for civilian and commercial applications, their misuse in warfare demands urgent, coordinated action from governments, tech companies, and international bodies to prevent further escalation.