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Radicalisation in Closed Loops: Risks and Intervention Opportunities with AI Chatbots and Companions

This report explores how conversational AI may create new pathways for radicalisation and how safety measures can address emerging risks.

‘Tick tock traitor:’ The rise of violent rhetoric targeting US public officials

We assess how violent threats against US officials have tripled since 2021, spiking after major events and driven mainly by partisan individuals.

Officials and Law Enforcement, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety, Threats to Public Figures

From posts to protests: How online narratives fuelled anti-migrant violence in Southampton and Belfast

UK anti-migrant unrest followed two unrelated stabbings in June 2026, as online networks used the incidents to fuel anti-migrant narratives.

Anti-Migrant, Far-Right Extremism

Building a strategic response to antisemitism in the UK in a changing threat landscape

Amid recent attacks on the Jewish community, this brief calls for a PM-led framework linking digital regulation, prevention & counter-extremism.

Antisemitism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Legislation and Regulation, Threat Analysis and Prevention

Louder and louder on the Western front: Key takeaways from the Authoritarian Interference Tracker

ISD’s new Authoritarian Interference Tracker maps more than 290 incidents of Russian, Chinese and Iranian interference targeting Western democracies.

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Flagship Programmes

Business Council for Democracy

The Business Council for Democracy is a cross-sector platform that brings together companies and employers committed to our democracy.

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism, Training and Educational Resources

Coalition to Counter Online Antisemitism (CCOA)

ISD’s international network of organisations taking a whole of society approach to counter online antisemitism in Europe.

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

Be Internet Citizens

ISD works to build young people’s digital citizenship skills across the UK, enabling them to critically evaluate information.

Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse

Extreme Dialogue

The Extreme Dialogue programme supports educators and young people to confront the realities of hate and extremism.

Terrorism and Extremism

Strong Cities

The Strong Cities Network is an independent, global network of more than 295 cities dedicated to addressing all forms of hate and extremism.

Strong Cities, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Terrorism and Extremism

Young Cities

Young Cities fosters collaboration between young people and local governments to address the most pressing issues in their communities.

Resources

ISD In the media

Recent arrest shows Islamic State’s continued relevance

ISD’s Katherine Keneally speaks to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the True Crime Community

Crisis over migration in Europe reveals dangers of manipulated online information

What Andrew Tate’s arrest means for his manosphere following

Digital Dispatches

The latest ISD data-driven analysis on terrorism, extremism, hate and information operations.

Lexical laundering: The mainstreaming of antisemitic neologisms from 4chan and forums

Antisemitism, Identity-Based Hate and Abuse, Misogyny, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety

From posts to protests: How online narratives fuelled anti-migrant violence in Southampton and Belfast

Anti-Migrant, Far-Right Extremism

Louder and louder on the Western front: Key takeaways from the Authoritarian Interference Tracker

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Five lessons from the Islamist extremist attack on Berlin Pride

Anti-LGBTQ+, Islamist Extremism

ISD Spotlights

The War In Ukraine

Countering pro-Kremlin disinformation targeting Ukrainian refugees in Germany

ISD released the first round of a video campaign in German, Arabic and Russian.

Anti-Migrant, Education, Resources, Training and Educational Resources

Tim Squirrell: Meta’s conclusions on pro-Kremlin online campaigns “difficult” to assess

Data Access and Transparency

‘Smash-and-grab’ Russian-origin accounts flood Meta platforms with Ukraine war disinformation

Inside NAFO: The meme collective countering Kremlin talking points online

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Elections all around the world in 2024

Pro-Islamic State outlet using CNN and Al Jazeera branding to boost reach

Executive Director for Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Moustafa Ayad, spoke to WIRED about ISD’s investigation on a pro-Islamic State (IS) network.

Islamist Extremism

Explainers

Overviews of issues, trends, narratives, platforms and actors.

Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) Abuse

Non-consensual intimate imagery abuse describes the creation and dissemination of intimate images of a person without their consent.

Digital Rights and Protections, Emerging Technologies, Misogyny, Tech Accountability and Safety

Proud Boys

The Proud Boys are a US-based political activist group that subscribes to a self-described “Western chauvinist” worldview.

Far-Right Extremism

764

764 is a network of online groups that engage in sextortion and the glorification of violence.

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Kids Online Safety, Misogyny

Reports

July 22, 2026

Radicalisation in Closed Loops: Risks and Intervention Opportunities with AI Chatbots and Companions

This report explores how conversational AI may create new pathways for radicalisation and how safety measures can address emerging risks.

Simeon Dukić, Natalie Vela, Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan and Carolin von Bredow

July 13, 2026

Mapping the ‘Nudify’ Tools Ecosystem

ISD maps the gendered deepfakes ecosystem, exposing how it’s created, spread and monetised while identifying key regulatory gaps.

Carolin von Bredow

Emerging Technologies, Tech Accountability and Safety, Tech Legislation and Regulation

Radicalisation in Closed Loops: Risks and Intervention Opportunities with AI Chatbots and Companions

‘Tick tock traitor:’ The rise of violent rhetoric targeting US public officials

From posts to protests: How online narratives fuelled anti-migrant violence in Southampton and Belfast

Building a strategic response to antisemitism in the UK in a changing threat landscape

Louder and louder on the Western front: Key takeaways from the Authoritarian Interference Tracker

Flagship Programmes

Business Council for Democracy

Coalition to Counter Online Antisemitism (CCOA)

Be Internet Citizens

Extreme Dialogue

Strong Cities

Young Cities

ISD In the media

Digital Dispatches

The latest ISD data-driven analysis on terrorism, extremism, hate and information operations.

Lexical laundering: The mainstreaming of antisemitic neologisms from 4chan and forums

From posts to protests: How online narratives fuelled anti-migrant violence in Southampton and Belfast

Louder and louder on the Western front: Key takeaways from the Authoritarian Interference Tracker

Five lessons from the Islamist extremist attack on Berlin Pride

ISD Spotlights

The War In Ukraine

Countering pro-Kremlin disinformation targeting Ukrainian refugees in Germany

Elections all around the world in 2024

Pro-Islamic State outlet using CNN and Al Jazeera branding to boost reach

Explainers

Overviews of issues, trends, narratives, platforms and actors.

Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) Abuse

Proud Boys

764

Reports

Radicalisation in Closed Loops: Risks and Intervention Opportunities with AI Chatbots and Companions

Mapping the ‘Nudify’ Tools Ecosystem

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Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) Abuse