AI can aid counter-extremism if developed responsibly, says new Hedayah report

Al Etihad

4 hours ago

20 June 2025 19:26
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Made possible through the generous support of the United Arab Emirates, Hedayah — the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism — launched a new research brief examining how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be responsibly leveraged to support terrorism prevention efforts, as the use of AI grows across all sectors of society.The report, 'Artificial Intelligence for Counter Extremism'', underlines that while terrorist exploitation of AI remains largely experimental at present, it is expected to grow and adapt over time. The report offers a balanced, evidence-based analysis of both the risks associated with AI misuse and the opportunities it presents to strengthen counter-extremism efforts.Drawing from a review of 52 academic publications and insights from five expert roundtables involving stakeholders from government, academia, the tech industry and civil society, the research maps out the evolving landscape of AI-enabled extremism and corresponding policy responses.Among its key findings, the report notes that extremists are already testing AI tools such as multilingual translation, content adaptation, and deepfake technology to spread disinformation and accelerate radicalisation. While much of the existing research focuses on predicting future threats, there has been less emphasis on understanding current applications of AI and its role in eroding public trust within the broader information ecosystem.On the prevention side, AI's use has primarily centred on content moderation. However, Hedayah identifies broader opportunities, including improved strategic communications and enhanced messaging campaigns aimed at fostering social resilience against extremist ideologies. The report also flags a pressing need to address systemic biases in AI systems, warning that such disparities risk marginalising already vulnerable communities and exacerbating social inequalities.To support effective and ethical deployment of AI in counter-extremism, Hedayah recommends promoting greater diversity within AI development teams to ensure inclusive design. It calls for prioritising 'safety by design' and integrating human oversight into AI processes. The report advocates for robust collaboration between sectors and disciplines to ensure diverse perspectives are incorporated and urges the inclusion of AI literacy in broader media literacy programmes. It also recommends a continuous monitoring approach to AI trends and threats, coupled with proportionate, evidence-based risk assessments that avoid both alarmism and complacency.Ahmed Al Qasimi, Executive Director of Hedayah, underscored the importance of embracing the opportunities presented by AI technology.'Generative AI is a powerful tool - we must focus on harnessing it wisely to prevent radicalisation, enhance safety, and counter extremism.' He added: 'This moment also calls for bold and purposeful collaboration between the tech sector, policymakers, and civil society to ensure AI becomes a force for reducing extremism and violent extremism globally.'Emphasising the urgency of timely action, Anna Sherburn, Deputy Executive Director of Hedayah, noted: 'Our findings show that although terrorist use of AI is still in its early stages, the risk is growing as the technology becomes more widely accessible. The time to act is now - not with panic, but with clear purpose.' She continued: 'Hedayah's AI report helps to shift the conversation. Instead of only asking 'what could go wrong with AI?', we ask 'what could go right?' if we design responsibly, collaborate strategically, and build trust across all sectors.'
Hedayah's report urges governments, practitioners, and the private sector to engage collaboratively in shaping the responsible use of AI in preventing and countering extremism efforts and to avoid the pitfalls of viewing AI solely as a threat.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi