The impact of artificial intelligence on cyber terrorism

This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are used in cyber terrorism. The main purpose of the study is to reveal how AI is used by terrorist groups in areas such as propaganda, financing, recruitment, cyber and physical attacks and to evaluate the risks it poses. The data of this study were obtained from literature review, international reports and case studies. In the study, the concept of artificial intelligence and its history were emphasised, and topics such as the Internet of Things, Blockchain, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Smart Cities and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were examined within the scope of the research, Then, the concepts of terrorism, terrorism, cyberspace and cyber-attack methods were discussed; how artificial intelligence technologies are used by terrorist groups was examined in detail; and artificial intelligence-supported propaganda, disinformation and radicalisation activities, the role of terrorism in financing processes, cyber and physical attack techniques were analysed. The findings show that AI, especially generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), strengthens terrorist organisations' propaganda and recruitment strategies through deepfake technology and automated bots, and that it provides tools for terrorism financing, and develops cyber and physical attack methods. As a result, the use of AI technologies by terrorist groups poses a wide range of threats, from disinformation campaigns to cyber attacks and UAV-based physical attacks. In order to prevent the misuse of these technologies, governments should establish regulations for the development and use of AI technologies, organise trainings to raise awareness about the potential risks of AI, increase international cooperation, and strengthen cyber security policies.