Jerusalem:The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by Israel in monitoring Palestinian territories and targeting individuals has sparked significant concerns over privacy and ethics. This includes AI systems that monitor land changes, track personal movements, and identify targets for military actions.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, AI technologies are being utilized to identify changes in Palestinian land and structures, facilitating potential demolitions and displacements. The AI tool ImiSight, reportedly used to enforce building regulations, has been credited with surveying large areas and supporting enforcement actions leading to the eviction of Palestinian Bedouin citizens.

AI expert Mustafa Jarrar highlighted the system's ability to automate decisions, which he described as "apartheid automation." The technology's expansion coincides with a rise in demolitions in the West Bank, where restricted building permits leave many structures vulnerable.

Surveillance efforts extend beyond land use, with facial recognition systems like Red Wolf monitoring Palestinians at checkpoints without consent. Amnesty International reported the use of these systems to limit movement and gather data, raising alarms about privacy violations and potential profiling.

In Gaza, AI assists in military operations by generating target lists for strikes. Investigations revealed that an AI system identified thousands of targets, with rapid approval processes for attacks raising concerns about accountability and ethical oversight.

The involvement of international technology companies, such as Microsoft's provision of cloud services for data storage, has also drawn scrutiny. The tech giant faced criticism for enabling surveillance activities, prompting calls for stricter regulations on AI use in security and military contexts.

Jarrar and other experts advocate for international laws to govern AI deployment in military operations, emphasizing the need to prevent misuse and protect human rights.