Emerging technologies and in particular, generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), are increasingly deployed for everyday use by individuals around the world. While these tools have enormous potential, the emergence of new technologies has heightened concerns about their manipulation and utilization by violent non-state actors (VNSAs), and in particular, terrorist and violent extremist groups.

In March 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on Artificial Intelligence, stressing the importance of harnessing the technology for sustainable development and collective good and ensuring that no government could use AI to undermine peace and human rights, while the 8th review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy called on Member States to counter the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, for terrorist purposes.

On 29th April 2025, the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York Office and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) convened representatives of the UN, governments, the private sector and civil society to examine the intersections of AI with non-state actors, including terrorist and violent extremists and explore policy responses.