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Cambridge study says Boko Haram used US and Chinese AI chatbots
The researchers interviewed 27 former Boko Haram members in northeast Nigeria and cited use of tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and DeepSeek as part of attack planning and operations.
A Cambridge University study released in July 2026 says Boko Haram used frontier AI chatbots from both the US and China to support parts of its terrorism campaign, including bomb construction and attack planning. The report described training sessions in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram members reportedly learned to use AI tools on laptops pre loaded with VPN and encryption software.
According to interviews with 27 former Boko Haram members conducted in northeast Nigeria over the past year, the study found the group relied on US chatbots including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, as well as a chatbot from Chinese firm DeepSeek. The account also described the workshop as the first time one interviewee said he saw the OpenAI logo.
The study’s findings, published by the South China Morning Post, also said Boko Haram used American and Chinese AI tools throughout 2024 and as recently as mid 2025. The outlet reported the researcher Antonia Juelich characterized it as a current national security problem, arguing AI models are becoming more capable and raising the stakes.
The report arrives amid calls for the US and China to address risks of AI misuse by non state actors in upcoming AI safety talks. The study said the concerns are amplified by terrorists’ expressed enthusiasm for using AI to help develop mass casualty weapons.