Digital Rights Weekly Update: 14 - 20 February

Israel's use of AI in Gaza war may become more prevalent, expert warns

The Express

Experts warn that artificial intelligence may become more widely used in war after Israel's 15-month-plus-long demonstration in Gaza before a fragile ceasefire was struck. Several reports found that Israel allegedly used AI tools from tech giants in its devastating offensive on Gaza, which killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and injured 110,000 more, about 23,000 of whom have suffered life-altering injuries.

Poised to Take Over TikTok, Oracle Is Accused of Clamping Down on Pro-Palestine Dissent

The Intercept

Oracle, which had already taken control of some of TikTok’s day-to-day operations, had taken a firm pro-Israel stance and, according to an Intercept investigation, clamped down on pro-Palestine activism inside the company. Last November, Israeli American Oracle CEO Safra Catz told an Israeli business news outlet, “For employees, it’s clear: if you’re not for America or Israel, don’t work here—this is a free country.” Collaborations between the company and Israeli government agencies have been wide-ranging, encompassing everything from direct technology work with the military to software intended to help Israel with public relations — including, according to internal company messages, on social media platforms like TikTok.

As Israel uses US-made AI models in war, concerns arise about tech’s role in who lives and who dies

AP

U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing services. But the number of civilians killed has also soared, fueling fears that these tools are contributing to the deaths of innocent people. Militaries have for years hired private companies to build custom autonomous weapons. However, Israel’s recent wars mark a leading instance in which commercial AI models made in the United States have been used in active warfare, despite concerns that they were not originally developed to help decide who lives and who dies.

TikTok ban architects say criticism of Israel got the law passed

Tube Filter

The rationale behind American efforts to regulate TikTok suggests that national security concerns related to the app are overemphasized, whereas TikTok’s ability to awaken the collective political consciousness of Gen Z deserves more attention. As more Americans use TikTok as a new source, intercultural clashes related to Israel and Gaza are creating fissures between big-name creators. The U.S. government’s position in that conflict is clear. Let’s just say there’s a reason why the divest-or-ban law was passed as part of an aid package for Israel and Ukraine.