The Documentary Podcast Jihadists and AI
7 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Stephen Humphreys and Mina Alami from BBC Monitoring dive into the complex relationship jihadist groups have with AI. They explore how some supporters of the Islamic State are early adopters, experimenting with AI for propaganda and translation, while others express skepticism due to ideological concerns. The duo discusses the balance between using AI for outreach and the risks of losing religious authority or inciting backlash. They also highlight the potential dangers of deepfakes, emphasizing the need for responsible AI use in the jihadist narrative.
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Experimentation Without Full Adoption
- Jihadist groups are experimenting with AI but use remains patchy and cautious.
- They focus on translations, transcription and repackaging to reach wider audiences.
AI Newsreader Backlash
- A pro-IS outlet ran AI-generated animated news bulletins with a machine voice and faced backlash.
- Critics called the format puerile and questioned religious and aesthetic appropriateness.
Religious Framing Of AI Learning
- Some jihadist publications urged learning about AI, even using religious language to stress importance.
- That framing provoked backlash and was later softened or removed.