Central Asia Confronts Growing Threat of AI-Enabled Extremism

Central Asian leadersgatheredinAstana on November 6 for discussions on ways to contain the dark side of the Internet and artificial intelligence. The talks, taking place under a format known as the Aqaba Process, focused on how militant groups can use AI to enable terrorism. Deep fakes, for example, have been used to spreadpropagandaanddisinformation while also helping recruitment efforts.

Militants can also use AI to hinder government investigations into suspected terrorist incidents and activities. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that Tashkent was ready to host a Central Asian branch of the United Nations'OfficeofCounter-Terrorism to enhance regional cooperation on "reporting terrorist content, detecting terrorist financing [and] training specialists." He emphasized that AI could help officials more efficiently detect and disrupt militant groups' activities.