C/O Futures Terrorism Research Note Series
C/O Futures AI Initiatives
Robert J. Bunker, Kaden K. Bunker, and Pamela Ligouri Bunker
30 August 2026
From early 2025 into mid-2026, an initial sequence of active shooter and extremist attacks and plots have taken place within the United States and Canada which have utilized generative artificial intelligence (GEN AI) to enhance their lethality potentials. GEN AI has been used to facilitate improvised explosive device (IED) construction; for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); for guidance on how to properly utilize small arms; and for mission planning purposes in support of an attack. The use of GEN AI for nefarious purposes has been better recognized pertaining to terrorist groups as it relates to Islamic State operational components in Afghanistan-Pakistan, the Middle East, and in Western Africa—and to a lesser extent Al Qaeda whose use has been more experimental in nature.[1] GEN AI usage is also now appearing in support of basic criminality connected to bank robbery, arson, and premeditated homicide planning. The projection is that GEN AI (and later agentic AI) utilization will become increasingly more common in North American future active shooter and extremist incidents and plots given the indications and warning (I&W) now evident.
Key Findings
Six incidents or disrupted plots involving generative AI and active shooter or extremist activity were identified in the United States and Canada between January 2025 and August 2026.
The cases show GEN AI being used or implicated in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); mission planning; improvised explosive device-related research; and firearms-related information.
The incidents occurred in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Tallahassee, Palm Springs, Tumbler Ridge, and Montréal.
Although the number of cases remains small, C/O Futures assesses that they represent a developing indications and warning (I&W) pattern rather than isolated anomalies.
As generative AI matures and agentic AI becomes more widely available, these technologies are expected to provide violent actors with increasingly capable tools for planning, reconnaissance, attack preparation, and related operational support.
Related criminal uses of GEN AI outside ideological extremism suggest that tactics and lessons may diffuse between ordinary criminal and extremist use cases.
Indications & Warning
C/O Futures assesses that consumer generative artificial intelligence is beginning to move from experimentation into practical use by violent non-state actors. Terrorist organizations overseas have already demonstrated early adoption, while cases since January 2025 indicate that similar capabilities are now appearing in North American active shooter and extremist incidents and plots.
Although the number of identified incidents remains small, the emerging pattern provides indications and warning of increasing GEN AI—and eventually agentic AI—use to support planning, reconnaissance, attack preparation, and other operational needs.
Incident Overview
Las Vegas, Nevada — 1 January 2025
Generative AI was used in connection with planning surrounding the Trump International Hotel Cybertruck explosion, including explosive-related research and other preparatory information.
New Orleans, Louisiana — 1 January 2025
AI-enabled Meta glasses were used during pre-attack reconnaissance of the Bourbon Street target area.
Tallahassee, Florida — 17 April 2025
ChatGPT interactions were associated with tactical questions, firearms-related information, and mission-planning activity prior to the Florida State University attack.
Palm Springs, California — 17 May 2025
Authorities reported that a generative AI chatbot was used in research related to explosives and detonation in connection with the fertility-clinic bombing.
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia — 10 February 2026
Prior ChatGPT conversations involving violent and firearms-related scenarios became part of the post-incident examination of the school shooting.
Montréal, Quebec — 21 August 2026
Canadian authorities disrupted an alleged school attack plot in which artificial intelligence was reportedly used in potential attack planning.
C/O Futures Analysis
The emerging North American cases suggest that generative artificial intelligence is beginning to augment the operational capabilities of active shooters, extremists, and other violent non-state actors rather than creating an entirely new category of threat. This pattern is also consistent with broader adoption already observed among terrorist and other violent actor networks.
The principal concern is not that GEN AI creates entirely new threat categories, but that it can strengthen established capabilities. Identified applications include support for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; improvised explosive device-related research; small-arms information; mission planning; and potentially operational security, escape and evasion, and attack livestreaming.
As generative AI matures—and as agentic AI systems become more capable and accessible—C/O Futures expects these technologies to increasingly amplify the effectiveness, planning quality, and narrative impact of active shooter and extremist attacks.
Related C/O Futures Research
C/O Futures Terrorism Subject Bibliography — January 2025
Limited Distribution OSINT Product — October 2024
Work With C/O Futures
C/O Futures provides specialized research, threat analysis, intelligence support, briefings, red teaming, and training related to emerging threats, adversarial technologies, and evolving operational environments.
Follow C/O Futures Research
Receive newly published C/O Futures research notes and analyses by email.
