Systematized supremacy: The consequences of blind faith in technology

September 22, 2025

The article discusses how technology, particularly AI systems, can be used simultaneously to benefit certain groups while harming others in conflict zones. It critically examines Israel's deployment of AI-powered surveillance and weapons systems against Palestinians in Gaza, with a focus on technologies developed through partnerships with international corporations like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Elbit Systems. The article challenges the idea of evaluating technology through a balanced "benefits versus harms" approach, emphasizing instead the human decision-makers behind these systems and their intentions.

Who is affected

Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, particularly children (with 13,319 children aged 0-12 reported killed)
Migrants at the US-Mexico border subjected to facial recognition and DNA collection
Civilians in various conflict zones where exported surveillance technologies and AI weaponry are deployed
Residents of Gaza whose infrastructure has been extensively damaged (92% of housing units, 88% of school buildings)
Individuals globally who may be vulnerable to surveillance technologies as these systems become normalized

What action is being taken

Israel is deploying AI-powered surveillance tools and weapons systems in Gaza and the West Bank
The US is implementing facial recognition and DNA collection systems at the US-Mexico border
Tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are currently partnering with Israel through projects like "Project Nimbus"
Israel is using "drone swarms," "Robodogs," machine gun rovers, and AI-powered targeting systems in Gaza
UN experts are condemning Israel's use of AI to commit alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza

Why it matters

Technology is being used in ways that significantly increase civilian casualties rather than reducing them
The power imbalance in access to advanced technologies amplifies existing systems of oppression
AI-powered weapons reduce military casualties for those deploying them while potentially increasing casualties among targeted populations
Over-focusing on technology risks absolving human decision-makers of responsibility for harm caused
The deployment of these technologies in conflicts like Gaza could set precedents for their use in other contexts globally

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices