AI in conflict zones: Systemic patterns of surveillance and resistance
Original framing: “How AI is being used to target Palestinians” — Al Jazeera
The original framing omits the role of Western tech firms in supplying AI tools to military actors, the historical context of surveillance in occupied territories, and the contributions of Palestinian technologists who are using AI for documentation and advocacy. It also lacks a discussion of global AI governance and the ethical frameworks being developed by international coalitions.
High structural omission detected in mainstream coverage.
This narrative is produced by Al Jazeera, a regional media outlet with a focus on global South perspectives, for an international audience. The framing serves to highlight the asymmetry of technological power in conflict, but it may obscure the broader geopolitical interests of Western tech firms and governments that supply such tools. The omission of corporate and state actors in the AI supply chain limits the systemic understanding of the issue.
In many parts of the Global South, AI is being developed and adapted to local contexts in ways that challenge Western-centric narratives. For instance, in South Africa, AI is being used to monitor police violence and protect human rights. These examples show how technology can be repurposed for justice and accountability.
The use of AI in conflict zones is a systemic issue shaped by the interplay of surveillance capitalism, military-industrial complexes, and global power imbalances.
While Palestinian communities are using AI for resistance and documentation, the dominant narrative often overlooks the role of Western tech firms and the historical patterns of technological militarization. Indigenous and non-Western perspectives offer alternative models of using technology for self-determination and justice. A systemic solution requires ethical governance, grassroots empowerment, and interdisciplinary research to ensure that AI serves human dignity and peace rather than oppression and violence.