Terrorist groups in Africa are using artificial intelligence to produce propaganda videos and spread disinformation against government agencies. In response, governments are beginning to deploy the same technology to track, predict, and deter extremist activity.
As AI plays a growing role in both terrorism and counterterrorism, the African Union has introduced a continental strategy to guide its use across multiple sectors.
“By leveraging AI technologies, governments and security agencies can enhance intelligence, improve surveillance, and disrupt propaganda efforts,” analyst Abraham Ename Minko wrote for the Global Network on Extremism and Technology shortly after the AU adopted the measure in 2024.
The AU Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy outlines a “people-centric, development-oriented and inclusive approach” built around five focus areas:
- Harness AI’s benefits for African people
- Address risks linked to AI use
- Accelerate AI capabilities in AU nations
- Foster regional and international cooperation to develop those capabilities
- Stimulate public and private AI investment
Analyst Brenda Mwale notes the framework does not explicitly address counterterrorism. “However, the growing adoption of AI in various sectors suggests that there is potential for its application in counterterrorism efforts,” she wrote for GNET.
Advocates say AI can track extremist movements, flag suspicious financial activity, and detect radicalization attempts on social media. It can also help security agencies predict potential targets and identify early signs of instability by analyzing large volumes of digital data.
“AI tools are being used to map the interests and grievances of different conflict parties,” AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf told the AU’s Peace and Security Council earlier this year. “Such tools can now assist peace mediators in choosing effective solutions.”
The AU’s AI strategy is nonbinding, meaning member states can choose to adopt or ignore its recommendations. Limited AI capacity in many countries could make implementation difficult, and the absence of security-specific provisions could hinder integration into counterterrorism strategies, Mwale said.
She called for detailed security-related guidelines, including safeguards on AI use.
Some nations, including Ghana and Kenya, are seen as leaders in developing AI policies that span multiple disciplines. Fredrick Ogenga and Aaron Stanley wrote for the Wilson Center that the proper use of AI — in counterterrorism and beyond — will be essential to maintaining public trust in governments.
“The AU’s Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy marks a significant milestone for the continent and will be key to advancing national policies,” they wrote.
