LEXARA: Journal of Law and Legal Studies
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): LEXARA: Journal of Law and Legal Studies

From Propaganda to Synthetic Operations: Generative AI and the Transformation of Cyberterrorism

Nadiah Khaeriah Kadir (Universitas Hasanuddin)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2026

Abstract

Existing studies largely treated generative AI in cyberterrorism as a tool for synthetic propaganda, leaving unclear when its outputs began to support operational preparation and how existing law could respond. This study examined the movement from AI-assisted propaganda toward synthetic operations and assessed its legal implications. It used normative legal research with conceptual and statutory approaches, supported by scholarly literature, open-source documents, and European Union law. The findings indicated that documented terrorist use remained concentrated in content production, translation, adaptation, and reuse. Generative AI nevertheless acquired operational relevance when outputs could be applied with limited correction and connected to later tasks in preparing or carrying out terrorist activity. Open evidence did not establish autonomous or systematic AI-driven terrorist workflows; synthetic operations therefore remained an analytical threshold rather than a settled practice. The synthetic origin of content also did not determine legal responsibility. Criminal attribution continued to depend on human intent, use, and connection to prohibited conduct, while regulatory duties varied according to the role and capacity of model providers, applications, hosting services, and online platforms. Technology-neutral rules remained relevant, although proof, attribution, and content-focused regulation became more difficult when assistance was distributed across services and occurred before public dissemination.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

lexara

Publisher

Subject

Description

LEXARA Journal of Law and Legal Studies is an academic journal specifically focused on Legal Science and Legal Studies. The journal publishes research in which law constitutes the principal object of inquiry, including the analysis of legal norms, legal doctrines, legislation, judicial decisions, ...