China leans in to hi-tech systems to counter emerging AI-fuelled terror threats

China showcased AI-powered drone interceptors and other unmanned systems at the Great Wall-2026 International Forum on Counterterrorism held in Beijing. The exhibition, attended by over 320 defence experts and military delegates from 62 countries, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems in enhancing counterterrorism capabilities while also presenting new security risks.

The displayed equipment included low-cost, high-speed interception drones with AI guidance systems designed to neutralise small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with speed and precision. Other technologies featured at the forum consisted of humanoid robots, robotic dogs, unmanned ground vehicles, drone detection systems, and laser-based defence systems, covering various aspects from reconnaissance to swarm defence and control.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that AI technology now spans the entire counterterrorism operation chain, from situational awareness and response to post-action assessment. The event, organised by China's paramilitary force, the People's Armed Police, emphasised Beijing's commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to tackle evolving security threats.

Experts at the forum warned that terrorist organisations were increasingly using autonomous drones, drone swarms, encrypted communications, and AI for radicalisation, recruitment, funding, and complex multi-domain attacks. The proliferation of AI and unmanned technologies was reshaping the threat landscape, with terrorist groups expanding their strike ranges and methods while continuously shifting their attack locations, according to Science and Technology Daily.

Terrorist groups were using UAVs with greater autonomy, upgrading their cyberattack capabilities, increasing drone swarm use, and improving resilience to electronic warfare. The key challenge lies in regulating autonomous intelligence systems, from controlling who uses and sells them to managing their procurement, deployment, and disposal.

International coordination will be necessary to prevent misuse and bolster counterterrorism efforts. Wu Mingxi, an expert in military intelligence and systems, stressed that terrorist organisations could exploit AI models for learning and research, potentially designing new attack equipment. Malicious actors might leverage generative AI to create deepfake videos and misinformation, presenting additional challenges.

If AI technology misuse by terrorist organisations and violent extremists remains unaddressed, the consequences could be disastrous, according to Peng Jijun, secretary general of the forum's organising committee.