Saudi Arabia has issued a call for enhanced international collaboration to thwart terrorist groups from taking advantage of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. During a session at the United Nations General Assembly focused on strategic capacity building, Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, urged nations to unite by exchanging expertise, bolstering national capabilities, and investing in long-term initiatives to confront evolving security challenges. Alwasil cautioned that the rapid progress in technology offers extremist organizations new opportunities to recruit, disseminate propaganda, fund their operations, and orchestrate attacks.
In particular, Alwasil underscored the situation in Yemen, noting that terrorist organizations such as the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda are looking to capitalize on technologies like drones and other sophisticated systems. He emphasized the necessity for governments to enhance their readiness to keep up with the increasingly advanced tactics employed by these groups. The Saudi envoy asserted that successful counterterrorism strategies must extend beyond mere military and security operations, advocating for robust institutions, modern legal frameworks, and international cooperation. He also highlighted the importance of continuous investment in human and technical resources to counter terrorism and violent extremism effectively.
Tailoring capacity-building efforts to the specific needs and priorities of individual countries is crucial, Alwasil argued, and these efforts should be implemented in close partnership with respective governments to ensure enduring success. Highlighting the Kingdom’s contributions to global counterterrorism initiatives, he pointed out Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in establishing the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011. The Kingdom has contributed $110 million to support member states in executing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is actively involved in platforms such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.
Further illustrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment, Alwasil mentioned the establishment of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal. This center employs advanced technology to monitor extremist content, counter online propaganda, and enhance public awareness. Moreover, Alwasil highlighted Saudi Arabia’s sustained support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, emphasizing efforts to bolster the country’s security institutions in collaboration with local authorities. These endeavors, he noted, have fortified capabilities to identify and disrupt financial and logistical networks aiding terrorist groups, while preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military resources to extremists.
According to Alwasil, these initiatives have significantly improved security and stability, curbing opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and expand their operations. By emphasizing a comprehensive approach that includes strong partnerships and tailored capacity building, Saudi Arabia aims to contribute to a more secure global environment, ensuring that emerging technologies do not become tools for terrorism.