A report published by Cambridge University on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, reveals that Nigeria-based jihadist group Boko Haram has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its capacity for terror attacks since 2023. The findings are based on in-depth interviews with more than 20 former members of both Boko Haram factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which maintains links with the Islamic State (IS).

Antonia Juelich, a technology and terrorism specialist and author of the report, noted the difficulty in obtaining such insights: “Generally, it is quite hard to get people to talk to you about this. What has made this all possible is that I've been working on this case for almost a decade now … it still requires a lot of trust building to get people to open up about it.”

According to the research, Boko Haram began integrating AI tools just months after the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. A former ISWAP member explained, “We used to rely on our traditional methods. We sent 200 fighters because we had a lot of strength, but then 60 got killed.” AI has enabled the group to conduct trial and error operations without direct losses, processing information much faster to adapt tactics.

Graig Klein, an international terrorism expert at Leiden University, affirmed that the interviews conducted through mid-2025 corroborate his research. He emphasized that AI is unlikely to create entirely new forms of terrorism or weapons but acts as a force multiplier enhancing existing capabilities.

Juelich added that the use of AI appears to be part of a broader ISIS-driven training and upskilling program, suggesting that such practices are unlikely confined to Nigeria alone.

This report sheds light on the evolving technological strategies of jihadist groups and raises concerns about the wider adoption of AI in terror operations.

Sources