AI Now Powers Mass Assassinations In Gaza – Julian Assange
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has raised alarm over the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern warfare, specifically citing the conflict in Gaza as an example of AI-driven mass assassinations.
In his first public statement since his release from detention, Assange addressed the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, emphasizing the evolving role of technology in military conflicts.
He stated, “As I emerge from prison, I see that artificial intelligence is being used to create mass assassinations.”
Assange warned that the use of AI in warfare has blurred the lines between targeted killings and broader military operations, leading to a significant rise in autonomous decision-making in conflict zones.
“Where before there was a difference between assassination and warfare, now the two are conjoined, where many, perhaps the majority, of targets in Gaza are bombed as a result of artificial intelligence targeting.”
The WikiLeaks founder further explained how surveillance data plays a critical role in AI-powered targeting systems, underscoring the vast amounts of personal data being harvested to train these algorithms.
READ ALSO:
- Essential Facts You Should Know About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Will Artificial Intelligence Render Nigerian Journalists Unemployed?
He described the process as deeply intertwined with global surveillance networks.
“Artificial intelligence needs information to come up with targets, or ideas, or propaganda. When we are talking about the use of artificial intelligence to conduct mass assassinations, surveillance data from telephones, internet, is key to training those algorithms.”
Assange’s remarks have reignited global debates over the ethical use of AI in warfare, the accountability of autonomous weapons, and the humanitarian implications of mass surveillance technologies.
His warnings arrive amid growing concerns about the lack of international regulation on AI use in conflict zones.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
