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'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

972mag.com

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Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#303
post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is also reported on by The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/03/israel-gaza-ai...

guardian references 972 as source for report

The guardian also talked to other sources.

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#304
post #31

Two sources said that during the early weeks of the war they were permitted to kill 15 or 20 civilians during airstrikes on low-ranking militants. Attacks on such targets were typically carried out using unguided munitions known as “dumb bombs”, the sources said, destroying entire homes and killing all their occupants. The world should not forget this.

So the entire family and neighbors family. Sure would be convenient if Hamas is 6% of the population

So why it didn't happen? 40000 operatives, x30 family members would mean the entire Gaza population is gone in a matter of weeks.

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#305

Years ago, scholars (such as Didier Bigo) have already raised concerns about the targeting of individuals merely based on (indirect) association with a "terrorist" or "criminal". Originally used in the context of surveillance (see Snowden revelations), such systems would target anyone who would be e.g. less than 3-steps away from an identified individual, thereby removing any sense of due process or targeted surveill…

It always starts with making a list of targets that meet given criteria. Once you have the list its use changes from categorisation to demonisation -> surveillance -> denial of rights -> deportations -> killing. Early use of computers by Germans during WW2 included making and processing of lists of people who ought to be sent to concentration camps. The only difference today is that we are able to capture more data and process it faster at scale.

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#306

AI generated kill lists are sadly inevitable. Had hoped we'd get a few more years before we'd actually see it being deployed. Lots to think about here

How do you think people are chosen to visit a secret CIA prison, or chosen to get a 12 hour interrogation every time they enter the US?

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#307
post #21

I know many people won't read past the headline, but please try to. This is the second paragraph: "In addition to talking about their use of the AI system, called Lavender, the intelligence sources claim that Israeli military officials permitted large numbers of Palestinian civilians to be killed, particularly during the early weeks and months of the conflict."

[flagged]

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#308

Israel's evil keeps taking me by surprise. I guess when people go down the path of dehumanization there are truly no limits to what they are ready to do. But what is even sadder is that the supposedly morally superior western world is entirely bribed and blackmailed to stand behind Israel. And then you have countries like Germany where you get thrown in jail for being upset at Israel.

It's been pretty clear to me for a while now that Israel's long term plan for the Palestinians is to expel them all. Starvation isnt a requirement for that, but it is probably the path of least resistance. I will say that its happening a lot faster than I expected though, Israel definitely taking advantage of the situation here.

But in lieu of expulsion, it seems they're ok with starvation and mass murder as alternatives.

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#309

The Guardian has this story on the front page also, they were given details about it pre-publishing, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/03/israel-gaza-ai... And, personally, I think that stories like this are of public interest - while I won’t ask for it directly, I hope the flag is removed and the discussion can happen.

Pretty disappointing that Guardian article also got quickly flagged after HN submission

The flagging on this site is pretty crazy recently

Re: 'Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing in Gaza

#310

Two sources said that during the early weeks of the war they were permitted to kill 15 or 20 civilians during airstrikes on low-ranking militants. Attacks on such targets were typically carried out using unguided munitions known as “dumb bombs”, the sources said, destroying entire homes and killing all their occupants. The world should not forget this.

With 37,000 Palestinians marked as suspected militants, it would mean they expected up to 555,000 - 740,000 civilian casualties.

How did you arrive at these numbers?
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