Artificial Intelligence in the Service of or Suppression of Human Rights: A Case Study from the Palestinian Territories

The Introduction

In a world where technological advancement is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as one of the most influential tools in human life, whether in peace or conflict. While the world celebrates the capabilities of AI in improving livelihoods and system efficiency, warnings are rising about its use as a tool of oppression, especially in areas suffering from occupation or armed conflict.

The Palestinian territories represent a central model for this challenge: where technology is used to enhance tools of control and surveillance by the occupation, in contrast to modest attempts to harness AI in the service of defending human rights.

Here arises the fundamental question: Can AI be a means to protect human dignity? Or is it merely a digital extension of the doctrine of control?

AI as a Tool of Oppression in Palestine

In the Palestinian context, AI is no longer a neutral technology; it has become part of the security surveillance and control system, manifested through:

Biometric Surveillance Systems

In cities like Jerusalem and Hebron, advanced surveillance projects have been implemented, including smart cameras capable of recognizing the faces of Palestinians and linking their movements to security databases. The Washington Post revealed in 2022 that these systems are used without the knowledge or consent of the residents, and are employed in tracking them in the field, which is a direct violation of the right to privacy.

Algorithmic Bias

Reports from the "7amleh - Campaign" center indicated that algorithms from major companies like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube exercise systematic censorship on Palestinian content, as posts documenting violations or sharing the Palestinian narrative are deleted or restricted, while incitement against Palestinians is allowed without effective intervention.

Intelligence Data Analysis

The Israeli security forces use AI tools to analyze the online behavior of Palestinian users, tracking keywords and generating digital files used to justify decisions such as deportation, administrative detention, or revocation of permits, without a transparent legal process.

AI as a Tool for Protecting Rights

Despite the oppressive use, Palestinian and international organizations have begun to invest in AI as a tool to combat violations and defend human rights through:

Documenting Violations with Visual Intelligence

Organizations like Forensic Architecture and Amnesty International use AI to analyze satellite images and field videos to document house demolitions, land confiscation, and bombings in Gaza and the West Bank, turning this data into legal evidence.

Tracking Patterns and Recurring Violations

Data analysis algorithms are used to reveal recurring patterns of violations, such as repeated timings of incursions or targeting of infrastructure, enhancing the credibility of reports submitted to the International Criminal Court by organizations like "Al-Haq" and "Al-Mezan."

Digital Monitoring of Hate Speech

Digital tools are being developed to monitor and analyze Hebrew media content, documenting hate speech or incitement to violence against Palestinians, to be presented as evidence in discrimination and incitement cases before human rights organizations or in digital campaigns.

The Ethical and Legal Challenge

The use of AI in conflict contexts raises profound ethical and legal issues, particularly in Palestine, where conditions for equitable justice are not met. Major questions arise:

•    Who sets the ethical standards for designing these algorithms?

•    Is there an international body that ensures these technologies are not exploited to oppress peoples?

•    Has digital justice become the privilege of those who own the technology, rather than those who need it to protect their rights?

The UNESCO report (2021) on the ethics of AI clearly warned that communities under occupation or conflict become more vulnerable to violations of digital privacy, necessitating the establishment of strict international legal frameworks that define the limits of AI use to ensure it does not become a tool of digital tyranny.

Towards a Fair Integration of Technology and International Law

In light of these challenges, an integrated model can be envisioned that links AI to international human rights law through:

•    Enhancing digital documentation of violations through unified databases supported by AI.

•    Supporting international justice by providing precise and chronologically ordered analytical evidence before courts.

•    Raising public awareness by analyzing public opinion trends and planning more impactful human rights campaigns.

•    Digitally protecting activists through encryption tools and monitoring the security of their information and identities.

The Conclusion: Between the Oppressor's Grip and the Oppressed's Hope

AI, like any tool, can