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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.

Iran’s diplomats launch a meme war

Iranian officials are using provocative, ironic content to go viral, driving massive engagement and reshaping state messaging during the war.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Iran floods global social media with AI content during ongoing conflict

ISD’s Bret Schafer joined Fox News to discuss the surge of AI-generated content Iran is deploying amid the ongoing conflict.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

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

‘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

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

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

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

Extreme Dialogue

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

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

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

Russian information operations attempt to polarize discourse ahead of German elections

NBC News features ISD’s report on AI chatbot responses to election questions

Far-right actors target asylum seekers in UK

Iran’s terror-for-hire networks carry out attacks across Europe

Digital Dispatches

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

Investigation | An old dog with no new tricks: Matryoshka targets regional elections in Germany

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Tech Accountability and Safety

Online antisemitism and digital regulation: ISD’s submission to the Australian Royal Commission

Antisemitism, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse

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

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

September 3, 2026

Chatbots and the Ballot Box: Evaluating Accuracy, Sourcing, and Language Gaps in AI Answers to Election Questions

ISD assesses how reliably six leading AI models provide accurate, complete information on US election procedures and voter access.

Valeria de la Fuente, Max Read and Peter Benzoni

Emerging Technologies, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Tech Accountability and Safety

September 1, 2026

Online Domestic Extremism in Canada Data Briefing – March 2026 to May 2026

Analysis of Canadian domestic extremists’ online activity, including platforms, galvanising topics and targeting of communities, from March–May 2026.