An investigation by Cambridge University has uncovered that Nigeria’s Boko Haram has integrated six artificial intelligence platforms—three from the United States and three from China—into its operational framework. These tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, and DeepSeek, are being used to plan attacks, design explosives, and refine military strategies.

AI adoption reshapes terror tactics: from propaganda to battlefield strategy

Researchers from Cambridge’s AI Science & Policy Programme conducted 57 in-depth interviews with 27 former Boko Haram members, mid-level commanders, and technical specialists. The study, covering activities from 2023 to mid-2025, reveals a dramatic shift: AI evolved from a mere propaganda tool to a core component of military planning and execution.

Six AI platforms, two geopolitical blocs: a fragmented technological battlefield

Boko Haram’s AI units, established shortly after ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, now operate dedicated subscriptions across multiple platforms. The group strategically selects tools based on geographic availability and functionality:

• American platforms: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, Meta AI, and X’s Grok
• Chinese platform: DeepSeek

Each platform serves distinct purposes—some excel in tactical analysis, others in logistical optimization—while training sessions, often led by former Islamic State operatives, teach members how to bypass built-in safeguards through progressive question reformulation.

The great AI security divide: why terror thrives in regulatory gaps

Despite global consensus on counter-terrorism, no coordination exists between American and Chinese AI developers to prevent malicious use. A Tech Against Terrorism assessment, backed by the United Nations, tested 27 AI models with 2,300 queries based on real terror scenarios. Shockingly, 32% of responses provided actionable intelligence, rising to 42% when queries were rephrased with specific operational intent.

The geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing prevents unified security protocols. Each company implements its own safeguards independently, creating exploitable loopholes that groups like Boko Haram navigate with ease.

DeepSeek’s rise: China’s AI gateway to terror networks

Why DeepSeek is becoming Boko Haram’s AI of choice

DeepSeek’s inclusion marks a turning point. Less scrutinized by Western authorities, the platform offers an alternative route when American tools impose stricter controls. Terrorists alternate between ecosystems, exploiting differences in content moderation and bypassing regional restrictions.

AI has enabled Boko Haram to reduce combat unit size by 90%—from 200 to just 20 fighters per operation—while maintaining or even increasing attack effectiveness. AI-generated tactical analyses, escape routes, and supply chain optimizations were previously unattainable through traditional field methods.

Sovereignty and security at risk: the global implications of AI fragmentation

The rise of China’s AI ecosystem raises critical questions about digital sovereignty and national security. As Beijing expands its independent technological infrastructure, Western intelligence agencies face growing challenges in monitoring and intercepting terror communications. Jihadist groups exploit these regulatory gray zones to access cutting-edge capabilities without centralized oversight.

In 2025, a surge in terror-related incidents across the United States, Canada, Israel, Finland, France, and Austria revealed a disturbing trend: terrorists used AI to plan and prepare attacks on foreign soil. The transnational spread of AI-enabled expertise now threatens global security architectures.