Israel using AI and bots to twist narratives

Since early October of last year, it has been increasingly apparent that the vast majority of chatbots — including OpenAI’s Chat GPT, Google’s Bard, and Microsoft’s Bing — are influencing narratives when it comes to the Gazan humanitarian crisis and war crimes being committed by the Zionist state. [1]

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Significant issue that is compounded by blackouts Israeli efforts to twist narratives have made an impact Lavender AI database used to target Palestinian civilians Analysis Also read

While chatbots such as the above are being used, often with good intentions, to ask questions about the ongoing oppression against Palestine, responses are occasionally manufacturing critical things like dates and names, or giving completely untrue information. [2]

At the same time, non-Palestinian users of social media are struggling to use platforms such as X, Facebook, and others, without being bombarded by pro-Israeli comments and posts.

Significant issue that is compounded by blackouts

Due to the apartheid state’s stranglehold over Gaza’s telecommunications networks, it is readily able to shut off entire areas from the wider world, when it sees fit.

Indeed, during this genocide, it has caused communications blackouts that have likely led to tens of thousands being mistreated or killed, while the world is unable to pick up even the slightest hint until weeks or months later. [3]

A November 2023 report by Access Now, a non-profit that pays close attention to digital civil rights, found that complete or partial shutdowns of both telephone and broadband connections have been rife. [4]

Ali Sibai, a digital security consultant, said,

“The overwhelming technical evidence across independent data sources confirms a severe Internet outage in Gaza.

“Most local Internet providers went out of service early on, due to the bombardment of infrastructure, leaving the vast majority of Gazans without Internet.” [4]

Just in the month of October 2023, Internet traffic had plummeted by over 80 per cent in Gaza. Much of this was down to attacks on telecommunications infrastructure and technical disruptions, in addition to the cutting off of electricity supplies. [3]

Israeli efforts to twist narratives have made an impact

Michel Semaan, a Lebanese researcher, who has been monitoring pro-Israeli social media activity since October, has said,

“The idea is that if a [pro-Palestinian] activist posts something, within five… 10… or 20 minutes or a day, a significant amount of [comments on their post] are now pro-Israeli.

“Almost every tweet is essentially bombarded and swarmed by many accounts, all of whom follow very similar patterns, all of whom seem almost human.” [2]

So in addition to chatbots providing biased responses, and technological blackouts restricting vital updates out of Gaza, it is increasingly likely that Israeli-funded bots are in full force on social media in order to skew narratives in favour of the apartheid state.

Lavender AI database used to target Palestinian civilians

A clear sign that the Zionist state has been fully utilising and abusing artificial intelligence in the genocide against Gaza is also in the way it has selected targets.

In April of this year, the state’s own military sources confirmed that the so-called Lavender AI system — which at an early point in the crisis identified a massive 37,000 possible targets — was coupled with the “pre-authorisation” of civilian deaths. [5]

One anonymous Israeli military intelligence officer described the system as being so helpful, that he failed to see his contribution as the human element.

“I would invest 20 seconds for each target at this stage, and do dozens of them every day.

“I had zero added-value as a human, apart from being a stamp of approval. It saved a lot of time.” [5]

Another intelligence officer said that the system allows for an endless supply of targets to be bombed,

“…we usually carried out the attacks with dumb bombs, and that meant literally dropping the whole house on its occupants.

“But even if an attack is averted, you don’t care — you immediately move on to the next target. Because of the system, the targets never end. You have another 36,000 waiting.” [5]

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Zishan Khan

Managing Director

We are witnessing a multi-layered struggle, where traditional warfare on the battlefield is unravelling along with the battle of ideas, narratives, and the hearts and minds of people.

Our adversaries are employing the latest technologies and strategies in this war of information. And it is imperative that we remain vigilant in our defence and proactive in our countermeasures.

This is an ongoing cause — upholding truth against falsehood — arguably one that will never truly end before the Day of Judgment.

At Islam21c, we strive to be at the forefront of adopting modern tools and techniques. What is often manipulated for harmful purposes can indeed be harnessed for good.

By working together, we can turn the tide. May Allah grant us the strength to prevail on all fronts. Āmīn.