Pool Re has issued a report examining the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) by terrorists and violent extremists (TVEs).
The report discusses the dual nature of AI, which offers substantial societal benefits but also presents opportunities for exploitation by malicious actors.
AI has already been instrumental in counterterrorism and threat detection. However, its potential for misuse by TVEs could overlap with other criminal activities, such as AI-facilitated scams, fraud, and cybercrime for fundraising.
Pool Re notes that unique to TVEs is the use of AI to further political, religious, racial, or ideological objectives.
The report emphasises the importance of understanding the factors that will influence TVEs' capacity and willingness to exploit AI. It also distinguishes between instances where AI could provide new capabilities to TVEs and where it may simply enhance their operational efficiency.
Current AI models, described as statistical engines, can identify patterns in training data and generate unique outputs but lack the ability to understand the broader context or meaning of their tasks.
The report highlights that AI will continue to have broad, transformational impacts on society, offering both benefits and risks. Understanding how existing AI models function is crucial in assessing their potential utility to TVEs.
AI tools could streamline and accelerate the production of TVE propaganda, though limitations exist regarding the technology’s ability to produce impactful propaganda without human oversight. AI may also enhance the dissemination of TVE propaganda by providing new methods to amplify content and bypass automated detection and removal systems on social media platforms.
While there are potential radicalisation risks associated with AI, such as those stemming from AI-powered chatbots, evidence on the nature and extent of this risk remains limited. AI could support TVE operations, including the planning, facilitation, and execution of violent attacks.
The exploitation of AI by TVEs is currently experimental, with little evidence to suggest widespread or transformative adoption in the near future. Instead, uptake is likely to be incremental and influenced by TVEs' perceptions of the technology and evolving societal and counterterrorism applications of AI.
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