Saudi Arabia has issued a call for enhanced global collaboration to counteract the potential misuse of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies by terrorist organizations. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly during a session dedicated to strategic capacity building, Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the importance of nations uniting to share knowledge, bolster national defenses, and invest in sustained development initiatives to tackle emerging security challenges.
Alwasil cautioned that the swift pace of technological advancements presents new avenues for extremist factions to recruit, disseminate propaganda, fund activities, and orchestrate attacks. He singled out Yemen as a critical area, noting that terrorist groups, including the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda, are actively seeking to harness technologies such as drones and other advanced systems. He emphasized that to effectively counter these threats, governments must enhance their readiness to match the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by terror networks.
The Saudi representative underscored that counterterrorism efforts must transcend military and security measures. He advocated for robust institutions, contemporary legal frameworks, international alliances, and ongoing investments in human and technical expertise as vital components in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Alwasil highlighted the necessity for capacity-building initiatives to be customized to the unique needs and priorities of individual countries and implemented in close cooperation with their governments to ensure enduring success.
Alwasil also showcased Saudi Arabia’s active role in global counterterrorism initiatives. He pointed out the Kingdom’s pivotal contribution to the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011 and its substantial financial support of $110 million towards aiding member states in executing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Saudi Arabia’s involvement extends to various platforms, including the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Furthermore, the Kingdom set up the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which leverages advanced technologies to monitor extremist content, combat online propaganda, and raise public awareness.
In addition, Alwasil highlighted Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, noting the Kingdom’s efforts to fortify the country’s security institutions in collaboration with local authorities. These endeavors, he explained, have enhanced the capability to identify and disrupt the financial and logistical networks backing terrorist entities, while also preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military assets to extremists. According to Alwasil, these actions have played a significant role in enhancing security and stability by limiting the opportunities for terrorist groups to exploit instability and expand their operations.