Tel Aviv, Israel – Reports have surfaced regarding Israel’s use of an AI-based system known as Lavender in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The system, detailed by Israeli publications +972 and Local Call, is reportedly used by the Israeli Defense Forces to identify targets for assassination.
Lavender is said to have been trained on various data sources, including photos, cellular information, communication patterns, and social media connections, to recognize characteristics of known Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives. The system assigns a score to individuals in Gaza, with those scoring high becoming potential targets for assassination. This led to a list reportedly including up to 37,000 people at one point.
Sources within Israeli intelligence revealed that Lavender’s accuracy in identifying militants was only 90%. Despite this, little human review took place, with targets mostly verified by confirming they were men. This approach, along with the inclusion of low-value targets, may have contributed to a high civilian death toll during the conflict.
In response to these reports, the Israeli Defense Forces issued a statement denying the use of AI to identify terrorists. Instead, they described Lavender as a database used to cross-reference intelligence sources. However, the alleged use of Lavender in targeting individuals may have raised concerns about civilian casualties, with thousands reported dead in the early stages of the conflict.
The situation in Gaza highlights the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in warfare. While international agreements emphasize responsible military use of AI, the reported actions in Gaza raise questions about adherence to such guidelines. The need for oversight and ethical decision-making in utilizing technology for life-or-death situations is evident.
As global discussions continue on the military use of AI, the case of Lavender in Gaza may serve as a catalyst for further dialogue and potential treaty negotiations on the responsible use of AI in conflict situations. This development underscores the importance of ensuring that technological advancements are ethically deployed to minimize harm and adhere to international humanitarian law.