The potential exploitation of generative AI by terrorists and violent extremists has attracted warnings that the technology may be used to groom or radicalize young people, help identify vulnerable targets, or increase the risk of bioterrorism. However, there has been relatively little analysis that grounds these actual and potential capabilities — or their associated risks — in a broader context.

The following Study analyzes how and to what extent terrorists and violent extremists have interacted with generative AI so far, identifies potential ways in which they could misuse generative AI in the future, and contextualizes these threats with the likely broader impacts of generative AI. In doing so, the Study seeks to identify a likely trajectory for the abuse of this technology by terrorist actors as well as concludes with some initial recommendations for policymakers.