Next-Generation Terrorism: Understanding Agentic AI Systems and Potential for Malign Use

Authors

• Alexis d'Amato, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
• Ares Boira-Lopez, University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Emma Theobald, University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Meg Shercliffe, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
• Jack Rygg, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
• Samuel Hunter, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
• Joel Elson, University of Nebraska OmahaFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

5-2026

Abstract

The call for an increased understanding of artificial intelligence in the U.S. AI Action Plan (The White House, 2025), in tandem with the growing use of AI by terrorist organizations (see Theobald et al., 2025), motivates our effort to provide clarity around the emerging technologies. In doing so, we define and distinguish the different types of agentic AI (e.g., reflex, goal-based, learning) and provide several case studies to illustrate the nefarious use of these tools. We use the malevolent innovation process as a framework to understand whether these tools are used for generating ideas, planning attacks, or executing them. Although the current base rate for this type of use is low, we forecast future use given previous examples of terrorists adopting technology.

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Recommended Citation

d'Amato, Alexis; Boira-Lopez, Ares; Theobald, Emma; Shercliffe, Meg; Rygg, Jack; Hunter, Samuel; and Elson, Joel, "Next-Generation Terrorism: Understanding Agentic AI Systems and Potential for Malign Use" (2026). Reports, Projects, and Research. 158.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ncitereportsresearch/158