AI as a potential tool for terrorism: The concern over its misuse
In a recent development, the Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report has been released, highlighting the continued risk of terrorism in the city-state. The report, published on Tuesday, Jul 29, emphasizes the growing complexity of the local and global terrorist threat landscape, particularly due to the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the proliferation of extremist ideologies.
One of the key concerns is the self-radicalization of local youths, a relatively new aspect of the terrorism threat in Singapore. The Internal Security Department (ISD) has noted the role of new technology like AI in this process. The rapid development and adoption of AI is a cause for concern, as it can facilitate the generation and translation of propaganda, create convincing synthetic multimedia, deliver personalized recruitment messages at scale, and even assist in the planning and development of attacks.
The internet, enabled by digital platforms, has significantly accelerated the radicalization process. The time from exposure to extremist ideology to radicalization has declined sharply, from an average of 24 months pre-2015 to around 12 months from 2021 to 2025. This has led to the self-radicalization of eight individuals in Singapore since July 2024, with youths being particularly vulnerable.
However, it's important to note that AI and 3D printing have not been used in any terror attack plot within Singapore. Nevertheless, the potential misuse of these technologies remains a concern.
To combat these evolving threats, Singapore's approach involves enhancing security capabilities, strengthening border controls, collaborating closely with technology sectors, and educating the public about these risks. The ISD is actively monitoring the role of AI in the self-radicalization of local youths.
The growth of extremist ideologies, fueled by global developments such as the Gaza conflict, poses a significant threat. A growing range of extremist ideologies has already manifested in Singapore, underlining the need for persistent vigilance.
In conclusion, the combination of widespread extremist ideologies enabled by digital platforms and the misuse of AI technologies has intensified the terrorism threat landscape in Singapore. The government continues to prioritize early detection, prevention, and public awareness to mitigate these risks.
In the context of Singapore's ongoing battle against terrorism, the ISD is mindful of the role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in the self-radicalization of local youths, given its capabilities in generating propaganda, creating synthetic multimedia, and planning attacks (commentary). Simultaneously, general news outlets and crime-and-justice commentary must address the increasing proliferation of extremist ideologies, both locally and globally, and its potential impact on technology adoption (artificial-intelligence) and self-radicalization rates (crime-and-justice).
