Saudi Arabia has urged the international community to enhance cooperation in preventing terrorist groups from utilizing artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Addressing a United Nations General Assembly session focused on strategic capacity building, Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the importance of countries collaborating by sharing knowledge, boosting national capabilities, and investing in long-term initiatives to counter evolving security challenges. Alwasil highlighted that swift technological advancements have provided new avenues for extremist groups to recruit, disseminate propaganda, fundraise, and orchestrate attacks.
Yemen was singled out by Alwasil as a region needing particular focus, with terrorist organizations such as the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda attempting to leverage technologies like drones and other advanced systems. He emphasized the necessity for governments to enhance their readiness to keep up with the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by terrorist networks. Alwasil underscored that effective counterterrorism requires more than military and security operations, advocating for strong institutions, modern legal frameworks, international partnerships, and sustained investment in human and technical expertise to combat terrorism and violent extremism effectively.
Alwasil also highlighted the importance of tailoring capacity-building efforts to the specific needs and priorities of individual countries, ensuring they are conducted in close partnership with local governments for enduring success. He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s significant contributions to global counterterrorism initiatives, noting the Kingdom’s pivotal role in establishing the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011 and its provision of $110 million to aid member states in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia actively participates in efforts such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.
The Kingdom has also set up the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which employs advanced technology to track extremist content, counter online propaganda, and raise public awareness. Alwasil reiterated Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, stating that the Kingdom has collaborated with local authorities to bolster the nation’s security institutions. These efforts have enhanced the ability to identify and disrupt financial and logistical networks supporting terrorist groups, while also curbing the transfer of advanced technology and military capabilities to extremists.
According to Alwasil, these initiatives have bolstered security and stability by reducing opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and expand their operations. By fostering international cooperation and investing in strategic capacity building, Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen global efforts in countering terrorism and safeguarding against the misuse of emerging technologies by extremist groups.