Boko Haram fighters used ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok for weapons, attacks – Cambridge study

Boko Haram fighters used artificial intelligence chatbots from major technology companies to obtain technical and military information, including advice linked to explosives, weapons and combat operations, according to a study by the University of Cambridge.

Researchers interviewed 27 former members of the group’s two main factions, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad (JAS).

Several former fighters said they used ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI and DeepSeek before, during and after attacks.

One former ISWAP commander told the researchers: “There is nothing we haven’t received an answer on.”

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The study said members of ISWAP and JAS were trained to use AI systems and find ways around safeguards designed to prevent chatbots from answering dangerous questions.

Former fighters also said the groups created specialised AI units made up of engineers, weapons experts and bomb-makers.

One former JAS commander described a 23-member unit operating from a solar-powered room. He said the team answered questions, analysed information and trained senior commanders on how to use AI.

A former Boko Haram commander said fighters consulted AI while making explosives, describing the technology as like a human robot.

Antonia Juelich, the author of the Cambridge study, told Al Jazeera that about 10 of the 27 people interviewed spoke about using AI in connection with explosives.

She said the major concern was that fighters could provide AI systems with details about the materials they had and the problems they faced, allowing them to receive responses tailored to their specific situations.

The study also said fighters used AI to seek information on recovering explosive materials from unexploded military ordnance and modifying commercially available drones to carry explosives.

AI was reportedly used during combat as well. In one case, a fighter sent battlefield images to commanders, who uploaded them to ChatGPT for analysis before issuing instructions to fighters on the frontline.

Former fighters also said they used AI to understand unfamiliar weapons and tactics.

In one case, a commander reportedly asked an AI specialist how to use newly acquired firearms and was told: “Just ask Grok.”

The technology was also reportedly used to examine failed attacks. Fighters described their tactics to AI systems and asked why an operation had failed, while video footage was uploaded for analysis to help them understand how future attacks could be carried out differently.

Separately, researchers at Tech Against Terrorism found discussions among supporters of the wider ISIL movement about ways to bypass AI safety controls and obtain weapons-related information.

Lucas Webber of Tech Against Terrorism said researchers were seeing more discussions about attempts to “jailbreak” AI systems and warned that the material uncovered could represent only part of the activity.

Major AI companies prohibit the use of their systems for terrorism, violence and weapons development.

The Cambridge research focused mainly on AI use by former fighters during 2023 and 2024. Juelich said the rapid development of AI since then had raised concerns about how armed groups might be using the technology today.

“I worry about where this is heading,” she said.

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