AI targeting systems Lavender and Gospel violate international humanitarian law by design, academic analysis finds

Summary

This academic article analyzes three AI-based targeting systems used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza since 2023 — 'Lavender', 'Gospel', and 'Where's daddy?' — and evaluates their compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Drawing on expertise from computer science, science and technology studies, and international law, the authors describe the technical architecture of these systems, their reliance on US tech infrastructure (Microsoft, Amazon, Google), and their configuration for target production and civilian harm. The evaluation against IHL principles of distinction, precautions, and proportionality finds that the systems violate all three principles by design. Key findings include: (1) the systems show reckless disregard for lawful target selection, (2) they enable mass target generation without substantive legal justification, and (3) their probabilistic nature makes them akin to indiscriminate 'dumb bombs'. The authors argue that civilian casualties are not accidents but directly configured into the systems, and that the term 'targeted killing' serves as a discursive red herring to maintain an appearance of ethical conduct.

Source

bskyAI targeting systems Lavender and Gospel violate international humanitarian law by design, academic analysis findsdl.acm.org