Al-Qaida and IS Islamic State are onto something now.
And it isn’t bombs or bullets.
It’s AI.
Extremist groups like IS and al-Qaida are actively experimenting with artificial intelligence, using it to generate propaganda, create deepfakes, recruit new members, and refine cyberattacks.
That sentence should stop us in our tracks.
Not because this is surprising behavior. But because AI fits their playbook so well.
AI is easy to use. It scales instantly.
And it thrives in decentralized environments.
Years ago, IS figured out how powerful social media could be for recruitment and disinformation.
AI is simply the next evolution of that strategy, faster, more automated, and far more convincing.
This isn’t theoretical either.
U.S. lawmakers have confirmed that IS and al-Qaida have conducted training workshops to teach supporters how to use AI tools.
That’s the moment this stops being a “tech trend” story.
AI is no longer just about productivity, efficiency, or innovation.
It has crossed into national security territory.
The real opportunity now is clear. It is to invest in safeguards, monitoring, and responsible deployment so AI continues to be a force for progress, innovation, and resilience, at scale.
This is the phase where leadership matters most.