Israel Deploys AI-Enabled Military Technology in Gaza: Concerns Arise over Autonomous Weapons
Israel’s army has introduced AI-enabled military technology in combat for the first time in Gaza, raising fears about the use of autonomous weapons in modern warfare. The specific details of the technology have not been disclosed, but it is known to be destroying enemy drones and mapping Hamas’s extensive tunnel network in Gaza. While this new defense tech presents opportunities for Israel’s tech industry, concerns about civilian casualties and the need for greater oversight have been raised.
The sector made up 18% of Israel’s GDP in 2022, but the war in Gaza has severely impacted the industry, with an estimated 8% of the workforce being called up for combat. Avi Hasson, the CEO of Startup Nation Central, an Israeli tech incubator, believes that the war provides an opportunity to test emerging technologies on the battlefield and in hospitals.
Mary Wareham, an arms expert at Human Rights Watch, warns that the rising civilian death toll shows the necessity for greater oversight over the use of new defense tech. She asserts that the worst possible situation of death and suffering is being brought about by the deployment of new technology.
The war in Gaza has been marked by a proliferation of inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, making attacks from the air easier and cheaper. Hamas used drones to drop explosives, prompting Israel to develop new tech to shoot them down. The army has utilized an AI-enabled optic sight by Israeli startup Smart Shooter, which is attached to rifles and machine guns. Additionally, a system involving a friendly drone with a net has been deployed to neutralize enemy drones, creating a “drone versus drone” scenario.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to “destroy” Hamas includes mapping the underground tunnel network where the group’s fighters are hiding and holding hostages. To achieve this, the army is using drones with AI capabilities to detect humans underground. This technology, developed by Israeli startup Robotican, allows the drones to enter tunnels and gather intelligence.
Despite concerns about human rights violations, the conflict in Gaza has solidified Israel’s status as a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge defense systems. The United States, Israel’s main international ally and provider of billions of dollars in military aid, has reportedly been training its soldiers to shoot down drones using Smart Shooter’s optic sights.
In late January, three US soldiers were killed in a drone attack on a base in Jordan, highlighting the growing threat posed by drones in modern warfare.
Analyst comment
Positive news: Israel’s deployment of AI-enabled military technology in Gaza presents opportunities for Israel’s tech industry and the testing of emerging technologies on the battlefield and in hospitals.
Neutral news: Concerns have been raised about the use of autonomous weapons in modern warfare, as well as the need for greater oversight and potential civilian casualties.
Short market prediction: The deployment of AI-enabled military technology in Gaza is likely to drive innovation and growth in Israel’s tech industry, but concerns about ethics and oversight may lead to increased regulation in the defense sector.
