Archive · 11 Sep 2026
UN report warns AI tailors terror propaganda for women, children
Terrorist groups are using artificial intelligence to make different messages for different people.
The messages can be designed for a person’s age, gender, and vulnerabilities.
Girls may see messages about belonging or relationships, while boys may see messages connecting violence with power.
The United Nations says children and young people are increasingly seeing extremist material online.
Social media, games, and online communities can be used to find potential recruits.
Some users may then be moved into private groups with more violent content.
Indian officials say the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda are using this approach in India.
They are concerned that targeting women and children could create a larger pool of people exposed to extremist ideas over time.
A UN report says artificial intelligence is expanding terrorist propaganda and recruitment capabilities.
Indian intelligence officials say Islamic State and Al-Qaeda tailor content by gender, age, and vulnerabilities.
Girls and young women may receive messages about belonging, relationships, protection, and identity.
Boys and young men may encounter propaganda linking violence with status, purpose, and power.
Social media, gaming platforms, and online communities can move young users toward closed extremist spaces.
- Who
- The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Indian intelligence officials, and terrorist groups including the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.
- What
- The report and officials warn that AI is being used to tailor extremist propaganda and broaden online recruitment, including among women and children.
- When
- The concern is described in a recent UN report and current assessments by Indian intelligence officials.
- Where
- Online platforms globally, with Indian officials highlighting the Islamic State’s reach across India and its larger audience in South India.
- Why
- AI can rapidly adapt propaganda for different audiences, while digital platforms and gaming communities help extremist groups reach and gradually radicalize younger users.
- UN body
- UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate
- Primary concern
- AI-generated and tailored terrorist propaganda
- Target audiences
- Men, women, girls, boys, and children
- Platforms identified
- Social media, gaming platforms, and online communities
- Groups cited
- Islamic State and Al-Qaeda
- India focus
- Officials say the Islamic State’s largest audience in India remains in South India
- Recruitment pattern
- Users may be moved from mainstream platforms into closed spaces with progressively more violent material