Concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) have led to calls for a slowdown in its development from tech leaders and policymakers. However, a recent report suggests that the technology has already been deployed in military conflicts and law enforcement.
In Gaza, Israel's military reportedly used AI to generate 12,000 targets for bombing in the first month of its war, with little human oversight. This information comes from an investigation by Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham.
Separately, the US military reportedly launched an AI-involved airstrike in Minab, Iran, earlier this year, which hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School. This strike reportedly killed 156 children, teachers, and other civilians, and was likely the result of a "targeting mistake" based on faulty data.
Within the US, the Department of Homeland Security is reportedly using AI tools, including Microsoft's Azure, to monitor, arrest, and deport immigrants. Law enforcement agencies are also deploying facial recognition technology, despite reported evidence of algorithmic bias leading to wrongful arrests and incarcerations of Latino and Black Americans.
Some US policymakers are attempting to address the potential harms of AI. The House recently proposed the Frontier Act, aiming to embed third-party evaluators within tech companies for safety assessments. Additionally, Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act to prevent the development of technologies that humans cannot control.