Al-Qaida and ISIS Use AI Differently, Report Finds

Artificial intelligence is not creating a new kind of terrorism. But it is making old tactics cheaper, faster, and easier to execute. That is the main finding of a July 2026 report from the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank. The report argues that AI tools help terrorist groups improve their propaganda and recruitment. However, the way groups like Al-Qaida and the Islamic State (ISIS) use AI is not the same. Al-Qaida focuses on high-quality, targeted messaging to inspire lone-wolf attacks. ISIS, on the other hand, uses AI to mass-produce propaganda and automate its online recruitment. The report leaves one key question open: how these different strategies will change the threat over time. Experts say understanding these differences is critical for security agencies working to counter the groups.