UN counterterrorism office highlights AI risks, launches UN practice guide on prevention

Unidentified Speaker 1, a representative of the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, told reporters at UN headquarters in New York on Feb. 12 that this year’s International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism centers on ‘‘new and emerging technologies.’’ The office said it will host a 2 p.m. dialogue titled "From principles to practice: artificial intelligence and preventing and countering violent extremism" and launch the first UN system-wide practice guide on AI and PCVE.

"This technology hold real promise for prevention, from early detection of harmful narratives to more targeted community informed interventions," Unidentified Speaker 1 said, and cautioned that the same tools are being misused ‘‘to amplify mis- and disinformation, spread violent extremism content, and enable recruitment and radicalization to terrorism, especially of young people and teenagers." The speaker emphasized that managing those risks requires transparency, accountability and respect for human rights.

The office framed the launch as a practical supplement to ongoing capacity-building work. Unidentified Speaker 1 said the guide will focus on emerging work streams on artificial intelligence and online gaming ecosystems while reinforcing evidence-based, human-rights-based prevention approaches. The speaker also noted that member states will undertake the ninth review of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy later this year, calling it an opportunity to take stock of threats "including in digital spaces" and to keep responses ‘‘forward looking, balanced, and effective.’’

The announcement positions the office as a coordinator across UN and non-UN partners and signals an intent to provide member states with operational tools that integrate digital considerations into traditional prevention strategies. The office said the guide is intended as a UN-system resource for practitioners and policymakers.

The special dialogue and guide launch are scheduled to follow the commemorative remarks; the office said it will continue to publish materials and convene partners to align technology-focused prevention work with human-rights safeguards and community-based approaches.