Israel's Use of AI Tools to Target Hamas in Gaza

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a concept to a reality on the modern battlefield. Just a few years ago, AI on the battlefield was limited to the realm of imagination, but now it is becoming standard practice.

 Israel's utilization of a state-of-the-art AI-based software called "Lavender" in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza has shed light on this technological advancement.

 In the war, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) has employed a tool called "Lavender" to generate a list of potential Hamas targets in the Gaza territory.

 Another AI-based software, known as "Where's Daddy?", has been used to alert the IDF as soon as the target identified by "Lavender" enters their home, prompting Israeli airstrikes on those locations.

 This development highlights the significant progress made in AI technology, from initial discussions on how AI can assist humans to its current use in real-time warfare conditions, how did Israel make AI work for them?

 "Lavender" or its earlier versions were first employed in May 2021 during Israel's operation against Gaza, where the AI system was used to identify Hamas missile squad commanders.

 Over time, the system expanded its capabilities, enabling it to generate tens of thousands of potential targets in mere seconds or minutes, a task that would have taken humans days or weeks to accomplish manually.

 At its peak, the system was capable of generating a list of 37,000 potential human targets.

 To train "Lavender," a vast amount of intelligence data collected through mass video surveillance and other means was utilized. The AI algorithm sifted through this data to identify traits associated with Hamas terrorists.

 The machine was trained to recognize patterns such as frequent changes in phone numbers or addresses, usage of phones previously flagged as belonging to Hamas operatives, or membership in WhatsApp groups known to include Hamas operatives.

 If an individual closely resembled these patterns or traits, the AI would flag them as potential targets.

 The data identified by "Lavender" is then passed on to another AI system, "Where's Daddy?", which promptly notifies the military once the target enters their home. Subsequently, the Israeli Air Force carries out airstrikes to neutralize the target.

 The accuracy of the AI system is quite high. During internal testing, the Israeli military found the system to be 90 percent accurate.

 However, there were instances where the system proved to be inaccurate. Innocent civilians, civil defense workers, and relatives of Hamas operatives were mistakenly flagged as legitimate targets, leading to the erroneous bombing of civilians.

 One such case was the bombing of seven aid workers from the World Kitchen Organization in central Gaza. These workers were mistakenly targeted while providing food supplies to northern Gaza, resulting in widespread criticism and condemnation of Israel's actions.

 

Despite these errors, the system has allowed the IDF to be highly effective and ruthless. The Israel Air Force conducted an unprecedented number of airstrikes during the initial phase of the war, made possible by AI.

 

This demonstrates how 21st-century technology utilizing AI and machine learning algorithms is poised to revolutionize warfare. Tasks that would take humans hours or days can now be completed by AI in a matter of seconds.

 

Major nations like the United States, China, are either considering the development of such capabilities or have already implemented them.

 There are several potential applications of AI in warfare. Here are a few examples: 

Autonomous Weapons Systems: AI can be utilized to develop autonomous weapons systems capable of independently selecting and engaging targets. These systems could operate on land, sea, or air, and could potentially make decisions faster and more accurately than humans in certain situations.

 

Surveillance and Reconnaissance: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of sensor data, such as satellite imagery, aerial footage, or signals intelligence, to identify targets, track movements, and detect patterns. This can assist in intelligence gathering and provide real-time situational awareness on the battlefield.

 

Cyber Warfare and Defense: AI can enhance cybersecurity measures by identifying and responding to cyber threats in real-time. AI algorithms can detect and mitigate attacks, identify vulnerabilities, and analyze large amounts of data to identify potential cyber threats and predict future attacks.

 

Decision Support Systems: AI can aid military commanders in strategic and tactical decision-making. By analyzing historical data, current intelligence, and real-time inputs, AI systems can provide recommendations for mission planning, resource allocation, and operational strategies.

 

Logistics and Supply Chain Management: AI can optimize logistics operations by predicting demand, optimizing supply routes, and managing inventory. This can improve the efficiency of military supply chains, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery of critical resources to forces in the field.

 

Training and Simulation: AI-powered virtual training environments can provide realistic simulations for military personnel, allowing them to practice and refine their skills in various scenarios. AI can also facilitate adaptive training programs that personalize training based on individual performance and learning needs.

 

Medical Support and Battlefield Healthcare: AI can assist in diagnosing and treating injuries on the battlefield. Intelligent medical systems can analyze medical data, provide real-time guidance to medics, and support decision-making for triage and treatment procedures.

 

The development and deployment of AI in warfare raise ethical concerns, including the risk of autonomous weapons systems making decisions that could result in unintended harm or violations of international humanitarian law. Proper regulations and guidelines are necessary to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI in military applications.

 

It is crucial for India to start developing and deploying AI-based technologies to prevent China from gaining an insurmountable advantage.