United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a strong warning that terrorist organizations around the world are rapidly adapting to the digital age by exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to enhance their operational capabilities, recruit followers, secure financial resources, and expand their global reach.
Addressing the Fourth High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of United Nations Member States, the Secretary-General emphasized that the evolving nature of terrorism demands an equally dynamic and technologically advanced international response.
“Terrorists are adapting to new realities,” Guterres stated, warning that extremist groups have become increasingly proficient in leveraging modern technologies to strengthen their operations and evade traditional counter-terrorism measures.
According to the Secretary-General, advances in artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and unmanned aerial systems (drones) have significantly transformed the operational landscape for terrorist organizations. These technologies are enabling extremists to accelerate recruitment efforts, improve propaganda dissemination, facilitate communication across borders, raise and transfer funds through increasingly sophisticated methods, and enhance operational planning with greater speed and anonymity.
He cautioned that the rapid evolution of technology presents complex and unprecedented security challenges for governments and international institutions, making it imperative for the global community to remain ahead of terrorist organizations in the technological domain.
Despite these growing concerns, Guterres underscored that the same technologies being exploited by terrorist groups can serve as powerful tools in combating terrorism when used responsibly and in accordance with international law.
He noted that artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies can significantly strengthen global counter-terrorism efforts by enabling early identification of emerging threats, enhancing intelligence analysis, disrupting illicit financial networks, detecting suspicious activities, and improving the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorist attacks before they occur.
The Secretary-General further highlighted the critical role of technology in understanding and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to violent extremism and radicalization. Advanced data analytics and AI-driven systems, he said, can assist policymakers and security agencies in identifying patterns of extremist behavior, monitoring online radicalization, and developing more effective prevention strategies.
Calling for stronger international cooperation, Guterres urged United Nations Member States to work collectively in ensuring that technological innovation remains a force for peace, security, and sustainable development rather than becoming a tool for violence and instability.
He stressed the importance of responsible governance, ethical use of artificial intelligence, strengthened cybersecurity frameworks, and enhanced collaboration among governments, technology companies, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to prevent terrorists from exploiting rapidly evolving digital technologies.
The United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Member States in strengthening global counter-terrorism cooperation while promoting the safe, secure, and responsible use of emerging technologies. The Organization emphasized that addressing the technological dimensions of terrorism will remain a key priority as the international community confronts increasingly sophisticated and digitally enabled security threats.
