Terror groups turn to AI to reinvent propaganda, exploit religion

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in image and voice generation, have opened new avenues for terrorist groups like al-Qaeda to spread propaganda.

Analysts say the group, long adept at using media tools, now leverages AI technologies such as voice imitation and synthetic imagery to make its messages appear more realistic and credible.

Al-Qaeda has systematically entered the AI field over the past decade, creating fake yet convincing content that portrays its leaders as devout and self-sacrificing heroes, said Muhammad Younus Tawfiq, a cybersecurity analyst based in Spain.

"At first, the group only used simple video and graphic editing, but now, through text-to-speech and AI-based image-generation software, they can create videos and speeches that are indistinguishable from reality," he told Salaam Times.

"By using AI, the group has managed to create a sacred and appealing image for its leaders, sometimes depicting them in prayer, teaching, or symbolic combat to evoke spiritual feelings among their audience," he said.

In some cases, the group even produces videos in which former leaders reappear with digitally reconstructed faces and voices to deliver new messages, he said.

The deception and the misuse of religion have always been central to al-Qaeda’s operations, said Mawlawi Muhammad Zahir Muslim, an Islamic studies researcher in Tehran.

"Such messages deeply influence inexperienced youths or those with limited access to credible religious sources, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood, faith and extremism," he said.

Muslim said that by distorting Islamic concepts such as jihad, martyrdom, and sacrifice, al-Qaeda seeks to justify violence and manipulate followers’ emotions.

Detecting digital deception

Qudratullah Hakimi, a communications expert based in France, said AI has enabled al-Qaeda to produce fake but convincing messages.

"They insert famous figures into videos or mimic the voices of religious leaders to create speeches that were never actually delivered," he said.

"The purpose of such messages is to glorify their leaders and turn the public against governments, media outlets, and religious minorities," he added.

Hakimi emphasized that individuals must learn to recognize signs of falsified media -- such as unnatural lip movements or synthetic voices -- and verify content with reliable sources before sharing emotional messages.

Muhammad Fawad Seddiqi, a counter-terrorism analyst in Austria, said the fake videos and audios are designed to manipulate religious and emotional sensitivities.

"These technologies have allowed al-Qaeda to produce large-scale propaganda at low cost and high precision without relying on major media infrastructure," he said.

He warned that such materials are widely shared on social media, fueling recruitment and radicalization among vulnerable youth.

"This new technique has deepened psychological influence and caused even non-political religious individuals to occasionally fall into the trap of such propaganda," he added.