Artificial Intelligence Assisted Terrorism


Artificial Intelligence Assisted Terrorism 

Syllabus: GS2/ Government Policies & Interventions; GS3/ Science & Technology, Challenges to Internal Security

In Context

  • The utilisation and possession of AI-based technologies by terrorist organisations pose a significant and concerning threat to the stability of States.

About Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • About:
    • It is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. 
    • AI encompasses developing computer systems capable of performing tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. 
    • Breakthroughs in Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), computer vision, and robotics have propelled AI to unprecedented heights. 
  • Significance:
    • The convergence of enhanced computational power, vast amounts of data, and sophisticated algorithms has unlocked AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare, finance, transportation, and security.
    • AI would not replace people but create new opportunities in various fields. 
    • AI is creating new opportunities which could not be achieved by traditional technology.

AI-assisted Terrorism

  • About:
    • As AI technologies continue to advance, terrorist organisations are increasingly utilising these tools to enhance their capabilities, adapt their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and propagate their ideologies
    • The ability of terrorist organisations to employ AI algorithms to evaluate enormous volumes of data and derive essential insights is the most critical feature of AI-assisted terrorism. 
  • Potential challenges:
    • These insights can help conspire and execute a terrorist attack by identifying possible targets, vulnerabilities, and security force patterns. 
    • Terrorist groups may make more accurate judgements, alter their methods in real time, and optimise their operations for maximum impact by leveraging the potential of AI.
    • Moreover, emerging advanced and disruptive technologies will provide more additional capabilities to terrorists for inflicting damage.
  • Implications:
    • This convergence of AI and terrorism has far-reaching implications for security agencies and necessitates a proactive and comprehensive approach to counter this emerging threat.
    • The emergence of AI-assisted terrorism poses a significant and evolving challenge to national security.

AI Tools Assisting Terrorist Organisations 

  • Deep Fakes:
    • About:
      • Deepfakes (Deep Learning + Fake) are synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s likeness. 
      • Deepfakes leverage powerful techniques from machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate or generate visual and audio content with a high potential to deceive.
    • Challenges:
      • As with any technological advancement, deep fakes also bear a darker side that raises concerns regarding their potential exploitation by criminal syndicates, including terrorist organisations. 
      • In India, terror groups like The Resistance Front (TRF) and the Tehreeki-Milat-i-Islami (TMI) have already leveraged fake videos and photos to provoke specific groups, especially targeting young individuals more susceptible to manipulation.
  • AI-enabled Chat Platforms:
    • About:
      • AI-enabled communication platforms, mainly chat applications, have the potential to be powerful tools for terrorists aiming to radicalise and recruit individuals. 
    • Challenges: 
      • Using AI algorithms, these platforms may send a tailored and customised message that caters to potential recruits’ interests and vulnerabilities.
      • In recent years, “Rocket.Chat” has emerged as a highly reliable online communication platform, adopted by the Islamic State (IS) in December 2018 and later by al-Qaeda.
      • Its Slack-like interface facilitates seamless and encrypted conversations between jihadist groups and their supporters, enabling the dissemination of official and unofficial propaganda through privately-operated servers.
  • Weaponization of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs):
    • About:
      • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), commonly called drones, have experienced significant growth and utilisation across various industries.
      • With technological advancements, drones have become more affordable, accessible, and sophisticated, offering numerous benefits and applications in agriculture, photography, and courier services
    • Challenges:
      • Alongside their legal applications, there remains a growing concern regarding the potential misuse of drones by terrorist organisations. 
      • In 2021, twin explosions assisted by drones occurred in the Indian Air Force’s base in Jammu, which pointed to the involvement of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Suggestions

  • Implementing partial bans:
    • A total ban on AI proliferation is impossible as AI is developed primarily by the commercial sector rather than the governments. AI applications, such as writing-digital assistants for commercial use, cannot be banned altogether. 
    • However, bans on technologies that threaten people’s livelihood are possible and likely.
  • Deep Fakes to counter deep fakes:
    • Developing and deploying automated algorithms for detecting deepfakes is a significant step towards mitigating the rise of deepfakes. 
    • Several countries, like India and China have recently criminalised using deepfakes for malicious purposes. 
    • India has also introduced draft legislation to amend its Information Technology Act, aiming to criminalise the creation and distribution of harmful deepfake content.
  • Geofencing:
    • When it comes to countering the hostile use of drones by terrorist organisations, there are no single countermeasures. One of the countermeasures would be geofencing critical infrastructure and military bases. 
    • Geofencing is a system that creates virtual boundaries around a physical location using GPS or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
    • This measure prevents GPS-enabled drones from entering such areas. 
  • Deployment of Anti-Drone System (ADS): 
    • ADS can quickly identify and jam micro drones and use a laser-based kill mechanism to destroy the target. 
  • High-power microwave counter-drone systems:
    • Technologies like high-power microwave counter-drone systems are being developed, demonstrating taking down multiple drones. 
    • It uses electromagnetic radiation to destroy the internal electronics of drones within seconds.

Way Ahead

  • While the possibility of exploitation of AI-enabled capabilities by terrorist groups is still in its infancy, it is critical to be aware of developments in this field.
  • To prevent a dystopian future and ensure a collaborative approach, it is essential to have international agreements and standards for AI development and use. 
  • As AI continues to evolve rapidly, it is imperative to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring ethical use.

 

Daily Mains Question

[Q] The emergence of AI-assisted terrorism poses a significant and evolving challenge to national security. Examine. Suggest ways to effectively control & counter AI proliferation.

 

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