Expand the EU AI Act: A Crucial Step to Protect Palestinian Rights Amid Gaza Conflict

This month, the European Union’s AI Act came into force, marking a significant advancement in the regulation of artificial intelligence. The act, adopted earlier this year, was widely praised as a crucial step forward in fostering responsible AI development and deployment within the EU. It aims to minimize the risks associated with AI by banning systems deemed too dangerous and enforcing strict safeguards on high-risk applications.

International Implications: A Gap in the Legislation

While the EU AI Act is designed to protect citizens within the EU, it fails to address the international implications of AI technologies, especially concerning their use in conflict zones. A particularly glaring oversight is its lack of regulation on AI technologies deployed in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, where these technologies are used for surveillance, targeted strikes, and population control amidst the ongoing war on Gaza.

AI in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Since the escalation of the conflict in Gaza, there has been growing evidence of Israel’s use of automated warfare tactics. The influence of the EU AI Act on AI deployment in Israel and its impact on Palestinian human rights has been critically examined by 7amleh – the Arab Centre for Social Media Advancement. According to a position paper by 7amleh, Israel employs AI systems to support its occupation of Palestinian territories, controlling the movement of their natives and subjecting them to invading surveillance.

The Ethical Concerns of Automated Warfare

The use of AI in the Israeli military’s automated warfare, including systems like “Gospel” and “Lavender,” has exacerbated the already high civilian casualty rates in Gaza. These AI-driven technologies, combined with reduced human oversight, have led to significant ethical concerns, as the rapid identification of targets often results in errors and insufficient due diligence. This has led to a massive toll on human life and the destruction of homes.

The Role of the EU in AI Export to Conflict Zones

A critical flaw in the EU AI Act is its failure to regulate the export of AI systems by EU companies to non-EU countries, including Israel. This loophole allows EU firms to sell AI technologies, which are banned or heavily regulated within the EU, to Israel without adequate safeguards. Consequently, Israel may receive AI technologies used for automated surveillance and combat, which could exacerbate human rights abuses against the Palestinian people.

Broad Exemptions and the Risk of Misuse

The EU AI Act also provides broad exemptions for national security and law enforcement applications, allowing for the use of AI technologies such as facial recognition and predictive policing under specific conditions. However, these conditions are open to interpretation and could be misused under the guise of security, potentially impacting Palestinian rights within the EU.

The Need for Expanded Regulation

To address these concerns, several actions are essential for EU policymakers, civil society organizations, and AI providers. It is essential to broaden the EU AI Act’s jurisdiction in order to control the export of AI systems to non-EU nations. This entails putting protections in place for systems that pose a significant risk and prohibiting the export of AI technologies that are illegal within the EU. Additionally, stricter requirements should be imposed on high-risk AI systems used in surveillance and law enforcement.

Promoting Ethical AI Development

Transparency and accountability in AI development must be prioritized, with mandatory human rights impact assessments and public disclosure. The EU must also narrow the exemptions for national security and law enforcement to ensure AI systems do not infringe on fundamental rights.

Protecting Palestinian Digital Rights

Protecting Palestinian digital rights is a key priority. It is imperative that civil society organizations and EU politicians collaborate to prevent AI technology from being a factor in the occupation and subjugation of Palestinians. This entails keeping an eye on the use of AI in occupied areas and holding businesses responsible for their involvement in violations of human rights.

A Call for Ethical AI Governance

The EU AI Act is a significant step toward regulating AI, but it must go further to address the complex challenges posed by AI in conflict zones like Gaza. The EU can guarantee that human rights within and beyond of its borders are protected by its AI regulatory framework by broadening the act’s scope, fortifying protections, and sealing national security gaps. Ethical AI development must be at the forefront of these efforts to safeguard the rights of vulnerable populations, including Palestinians, in the face of advancing technologies.

More Suggestions: 

Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Deadly Protests | 70 Dead, Curfew Reinstated

Gwadar’s New Airport Set to Be Pakistan’s Largest After Successful Testing