These US tech giants are fueling Israeli military efforts with advanced AI

Artificial intelligence and cloud computing services provided by major U.S. technology companies have become integral to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon since October 2023. Microsoft and OpenAI’s technologies in particular have enabled faster target identification and intelligence analysis, marking a significant milestone in the use of commercial AI in active warfare.

The technology deployment: Israel’s military has dramatically increased its use of U.S.-developed artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities for intelligence gathering and target identification in Gaza and Lebanon.

• Usage of Microsoft and OpenAI’s AI technologies surged nearly 200-fold following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack
• Data storage on Microsoft’s servers doubled to over 13.6 petabytes
• The Israeli military employs Microsoft Azure cloud services to compile and analyze surveillance data, including the transcription and translation of intercepted communications

Key partnerships: Microsoft maintains decades-long ties with Israel’s military while other major tech companies provide additional support.

• Google, Amazon, Cisco, Dell, and Palantir also supply various services to Israel’s military operations
• Microsoft’s Azure platform serves as the primary infrastructure for data analysis and intelligence gathering
• These partnerships represent a significant integration of commercial AI technology into military operations

Technical implementation: The Israeli military has developed sophisticated systems that leverage AI for multiple aspects of intelligence operations.

• AI models analyze vast amounts of intelligence, communications, and surveillance data to identify potential targets
• Machine learning systems assist in transcribing and translating intercepted communications from Arabic to Hebrew
• Advanced data analytics help process and interpret large volumes of surveillance information

Concerns and consequences: The use of AI in military operations has raised significant ethical and practical concerns.

• Questions have emerged about potential errors in AI systems used for targeting, particularly in machine translation
• Over 50,000 casualties have been reported in Gaza and Lebanon since the conflict began
• Nearly 70% of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed, according to local health ministries
• The Israeli military maintains that AI tools improve accuracy and help minimize civilian casualties

Looking ahead: Military AI implementation: The deployment of commercial AI in this conflict sets a precedent that may influence future military operations globally, while raising critical questions about the responsibility of tech companies in providing AI capabilities for warfare. The balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations in military AI applications remains a pressing concern that will likely shape future policy decisions and corporate partnerships.