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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.
- About:
- 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.
- About:
- 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.
- About:
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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