Nigerian insurgent groups adopting artificial intelligence

Research indicates that insurgent groups in northeastern Nigeria, specifically Boko Haram and its ISIL affiliates such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are increasingly integrating generative artificial intelligence into their operations.

Initial findings from a University of Cambridge study, based on interviews with former members, revealed that fighters have used various chatbots—including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, and DeepSeek—to obtain technical advice regarding weapons, explosives, and battlefield analysis. These groups have reportedly established dedicated AI units, providing members with laptops, paid subscriptions, and encryption tools. Efforts have also been documented on pro-ISIL forums to “jailbreak” or bypass AI safety protocols.

Subsequent reports suggest this technological adoption is being institutionalized through specialized training provided by instructors from Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Africa. These instructors reportedly teach techniques to bypass ethical safeguards to assist in tactical planning, logistics optimization, and the design of explosive devices. This technological shift coincides with increased kinetic violence, including a recent attack on a military base in Borno State that resulted in the deaths of 15 soldiers and five members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).