This system, implemented by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), marks a breakthrough in the automation of warfare. Lavender , named after the lavender flower, has been used to mark thousands of Palestinians as potential targets for air strikes during the conflict in Gaza.
According to a joint investigation by +972 magazine, Local Call and The Guardian, Lavender was responsible for at least 15,000 deaths between October 7 and November 24, 2023.
The system works by analyzing data collected from more than 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, assigning each individual a score that indicates their likelihood of being affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
Critics argue that the use of Lavender raises serious ethical questions regarding the indiscriminate selection of individuals based on probabilistic algorithms.
The design of the system, which prioritizes efficiency over precision, has resulted in significant collateral damage, with up to 300 civilians killed in a single airstrike. In addition, the lack of transparency regarding Lavender's parameters and decision-making process raises concerns, according to El País.
The IDF has defended the use of AI in targeting decisions, claiming that these systems are intended to assist human operators and not replace them entirely. However, reports suggest that military officers often rely solely on Lavender's recommendations without carrying out thorough checks, leading to potentially erroneous target selection decisions.
The legality of using AI systems like Lavender in warfare is also the subject of debate. While some argue that these technologies comply with international humanitarian law, others claim that their use poses significant risks, particularly in terms of protecting civilians and preventing war crimes.
In addition to ethical and legal concerns, the use of Lavender also highlights issues related to surveillance and digital privacy. The widespread collection and analysis of data on Palestinian civilians, along with the use of facial recognition technology and other surveillance measures, raise serious questions about human rights violations and compromised privacy in conflict zones.
