AI for Peace Weekly Insights

We’re excited to bring you our brand-new feature: AI for Peace Weekly Insights! Each week, we’ll share updates, trends, and key developments at the intersection of AI and peace, offering fresh perspectives on both risks and opportunities to inspire action and spark meaningful dialogue within our community of practice.

Have news to share or insights to add? Drop us a comment—we’d love to hear from you!

US:?TikTok?ban?won’t?solve Big Tech harms

The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a U.S. government ban on TikTok, citing national security concerns over its parent company ByteDance’s alleged ties to the Chinese government, has sparked criticism from Lauren Armistead, Deputy Director at Amnesty Tech. Armistead stated that banning TikTok does nothing to address the widespread human rights risks and harms associated with surveillance-based business models used by major tech companies such as TikTok, Google, and Meta. She also emphasized that the measure unnecessarily restricts the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information. Read more

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The Dehumanization of ISR: Israel’s Use of Artificial Intelligence In Warfare

Israel uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its intelligence and targeting capabilities, enabling precise strikes across Gaza. While these technologies bolster military effectiveness, they raise significant ethical concerns and geopolitical risks. AI-assisted airstrikes, sometimes relying heavily on algorithmic assessments, risk violating principles of war such as discrimination and proportionality. Issues like errors, biases, overreliance on algorithms, and limited human oversight further compound these concerns. Additionally, Israel's AI-driven military advantage could destabilize the balance of power in the Middle East. Read more ?

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Call for Abstracts (Deadline 3 February): Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics, 27-28 March 2025

UNIDIR is launching its first annual Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics to address the complex implications of AI for national, regional and global security and resilience. The conference – organized as part of the Roundtable for AI, Security and Ethics – will bring together the diplomatic community, as well as experts from the military, industry, academia, civil society organizations and research labs. To shape the programme, UNIDIR is inviting abstract submissions for poster presentations, thematic deep-dives and lightning talks. Submissions must align with one of the six priority themes outlined in UNIDIR’s policy brief on the Governance of AI in the Military Domain.?Submit your abstract

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Africa Has Entered a New Era of War

Africa is experiencing an unprecedented surge in conflicts, leaving a path of devastation from Mali in the west to Somalia in the east. Longstanding wars, such as Islamist insurgencies in northern Nigeria and Somalia and militia clashes in eastern Congo, have escalated sharply. Meanwhile, power struggles among militarized elites in Ethiopia and Sudan are destabilizing two of the continent's largest nations. The western Sahel has become a global hub for jihadism, with al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates fighting both each other and fragile military governments. Read more?

How Technology Can Build Trust in the Israeli-Palestinian Context

A peacetech ecosystem is taking shape in Israel and Palestine, harnessing technology—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—to foster connections between communities and advance peacebuilding initiatives. Various organizations are employing technology to create economic partnerships, expand social networks, facilitate dialogue on sensitive issues, and promote education, language acquisition, entrepreneurship, and job placement. A recent survey, conducted as part of a PeaceTech Ecosystem Mapping Report, explored the efforts of these organizations. This article highlights the key findings from the report. Read more ?

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Regulating online hate speech ‘not censorship’: UN rights chief

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized on Friday that regulating hate speech and harmful online content "is not censorship," following Meta’s recent decision to end its fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram over concerns about censorship. "Permitting hate speech and harmful content online has real-world consequences. Regulating such content is not censorship," Volker Türk stated on X. He added, "My office calls for accountability and governance in the digital space, consistent with human rights principles." Read more?

Integrating AI in nuclear security: Challenges and ethical considerations

Since 2022, AI has gained attention, but integrating it remains challenging, including in nuclear weapons. Nuclear powers like the US, UK, Russia, China, and others are adopting AI in defense. While AI enhances military automation, its use in nuclear decision-making poses significant risks without proper safeguards. Read more

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The artificial intelligence dilemma for peacebuilders and human rights defenders

The transformative power of AI is celebrated across sectors, from healthcare to government, for driving efficiency, predicting patterns, and tackling humanity's pressing challenges. Similarly, peacebuilders and human rights defenders are leveraging AI to strengthen partnerships and address critical issues in vulnerable communities and conflict zones. Read more

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When Technology Meets Humanity: Harnessing New and Emerging Technologies at the End of Conflict

The End of War Project’s white paper, “When Technology Meets Humanity: Shifting Policy Towards Protection in Conflict,” explores how emerging technologies can advance humanitarian values at the end of war. Highlighting a critical gap in policy and scholarship, it offers real-world examples, such as using technology to combat human trafficking and protect humanitarian actors, along with actionable recommendations to promote protective innovations in conflict settings. Read more

This weekly review aims to spark dialogue and inspire the AI for Peace community of practice to continue advancing their efforts toward lasting peace. Visit our website to explore more resources, insights, and opportunities to engage with our work— www.aiforpeace.org

If we’ve missed any significant developments, let us know! Share your top news from last week in the comments, including a link—we’re always eager to stay updated on the latest trends and insights.

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