International Conference on AI Regulation in Counterterrorism Held at Tavricheskiy Palace

Conference on AI Use in Counterterrorism Held at the Tavricheskiy Palace.

An international conference titled "Legislative Regulation of the Use of Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies for Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Radicalism and Extremism" was held on May 21, 2026, at the Tavricheskiy Palace in St. Petersburg.

The event brought together parliamentarians from CIS countries, legal and technology experts, leading analysts, and representatives of 11 international organizations. It was organized by the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.

A welcome address was delivered by Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy. He emphasized that the rapid development of AI requires stronger international cooperation and coordinated approaches to legal regulation. At the same time, he noted that differences in technological development, national interests, and security priorities make this task particularly challenging. He also highlighted the need for qualified specialists and new ethical and legal standards governing AI applications in counterterrorism.

In his remarks, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Counter-Terrorism and Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Alexandre Zouev stressed that AI and emerging technologies are transforming approaches to preventing and responding to terrorism. He underlined the importance of ensuring accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights through robust legal frameworks.

The conference was moderated by First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov. He warned that insufficient regulation of AI technologies creates opportunities for the spread of terrorist and extremist content, criminal financing, and manipulation of public opinion. He also highlighted Russia's support for the UN global project "Preventing and Countering Extremism - National and Regional Practices."

Head of the Research Center of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexey Maruev noted that terrorist and extremist groups increasingly use AI for propaganda, recruitment, and operational coordination. Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nizami Safarov pointed to the growing use of AI in analyzing financial transactions and communications to detect indicators of terrorist activity.

Participants discussed the shift from reactive measures to preventive strategies, the challenges posed by deepfakes and online recruitment, and the need for transparency, accountability, parliamentary oversight, and safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.