Yesterday's methods cannot defeat crime in AI age — CIS counterterrorism chief
What happened
At a security conference in Samarkand on November 6, the head of the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center, Colonel General Yevgeny Sysoev, addressed the challenges posed by AI-driven terrorism. He explained that traditional counterterrorism strategies are no longer effective against new digital threats. Sysoev described how terrorist groups now use decentralized networks, rapid online radicalization, and complex cross-border financial systems. He called for the adoption of advanced national algorithms and updated legal and technical measures to address these evolving risks.
Key details
- Terrorist networks now operate through anonymous online platforms, often with members in different countries.
- The time from initial contact to radicalization has dropped from six months to just a few days.
- Terrorist financing has shifted to cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, using automated microtransactions to avoid detection.
- Russia's Transparent Blockchain system now uses AI to trace and analyze suspicious cryptocurrency flows.
- Some CIS countries have limited SIM card purchases and require biometric data from foreign buyers.
Why it matters
Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in CIS countries must adapt to new forms of terrorism that use AI and digital tools, which makes detection and prevention more complex. Financial institutions and telecom providers face stricter regulations and new technologies for monitoring transactions and communications. Citizens, especially young people, may be affected by increased scrutiny of digital activities and tighter controls on SIM cards and cryptocurrency use.