Youth Radicalisation in Age of AI: Recruitment pathways, Gaming platform and Counter Extremism Challenges

Srishti , Dr.Amritpal Kaur

Keywords- Artificial Intelligence, Online Gaming, Youth Radicalisation, Counter- terrorism, Extremism

Terrorism has changed overtime in tandem with technological advancement, evolving from hierarchical militant formations to decentralised online movements. The most recent developments in extremist recruiting and radicalisation in the twenty-first century have been artificial intelligence (AI) and online gaming environments. The combination of immersive gaming environments, algorithmic recommendation systems, and youth-driven digital subcultures has produced an ecology that is both dangerous and empowering. Extremist actor uses these platforms to create communities, disseminate false information, and prepare susceptible people, transforming routine online contacts into possible entry points for radicalisation. With the use of chatbots, deepfake technology, and AI-powered personalisation, radicals may also create appealing and focused narratives that resemble real peer interaction. The study finds key youth vulnerabilities that make young users especially vulnerable to online manipulation, such as identity problems, social estrangement, and digital immersion. The development of "serious games" for digital literacy, community policing programs like "Gaming with the Police," and gamified awareness campaigns aimed at refuting extremist narratives are among the counter-radicalization (P/CVE) approaches that are evaluated. Legal and ethical issues still exist in spite these initiatives. While proactive moderation is limited by constitutional free speech rights, surveillance powers are restricted by data privacy rules such as EU's General Data Privacy Regulation. Furthermore, disparities in international cyberlaw make it difficult to respond to online extremism in coordinated manner. The finding show that existing preventative tactics are still reactive, fragmented, and frequently ineffective in connecting with young gamers. The study suggests that a multifaceted approach is needed to mitigate AI-driven radicalisation, including cross-sector cooperation between governments, academics, and the game industry, as well as legal change and ethical AI governance. Societies cannot handle the growing relationship between AI, youth, and extremism and guarantee that technology act as catalyst for resilience rather than radicalisation unless they adopt a comprehensive and rights-respecting strategy.

Volume 13 Issue 11, November-2025

Pages : a102-a122