Al‑Qaida and the Islamic State are both adopting AI

What the report says

The Independent Uganda published a commentary on September 9, 2026 examining how al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are adopting artificial intelligence, while noting that they approach the technology differently. The piece argues that AI does not create a new form of terrorism, but can make existing militant tactics cheaper, faster and easier, citing a July 2026 report from the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies as background.

Based on the author’s review of propaganda, guides and strategic writings, affiliates, media outlets and supporters linked to both movements are using AI for propaganda, recruitment, security and planning. The article says Islamic State-linked networks tend to treat AI as a tool for immediate impact, pointing to examples such as AI-generated propaganda, multilingual material and rapid translation. It also references Islamic State Khorasan’s 2025 magazine material discussing AI literacy and warning about deepfakes and surveillance.

The commentary says al-Qaida-linked networks are also experimenting, but often in a more deliberate way. It cites chatbot guides, AI imagery, translated messaging and debate within pro-al-Qaida media about whether the technology changes warfare itself. The broader significance, according to the article, is that the two groups’ organizational cultures shape how they use AI: Islamic State favors speed and spectacle, while al-Qaida emphasizes endurance, strategy and long-term conflict.