AI is increasingly commonplace in warzones. The Ukrainian military has used AI-equipped drones mounted with explosives, while the Israel Defense Forces utilised an AI-enabled targeting system to label over 30,000 Palestinians as suspected militants during the first weeks of its war in Gaza.
The US military alone has more than 800 active AI-related projects and has requested almost US$2 billion in funding for AI in the 2024 budget.
“Any companies providing technologies to militaries that could be violating human rights or the laws of war run the risk of criminal indictments, sanctions, civil suits and considerable reputational damage,” said Audrey Mocle, Deputy Director of non-profit Open MIC.“The risks for investors in these tech firms increase as they become more enmeshed with the [weapons] sector.”
