On Friday, September 20, RAW directors Dr. Lauren Gould and Jessica Dorsey will present during the latest edition of the Concerning War and Conflict Lecture Series at Utrecht University. In ‘Algorithmic Warfare and Civilian Harm: The Case of Gaza’, Gould and Dorsey will explore the ways the Israeli military has deployed new AI-driven technologies (such as ‘The Gospel’, ‘Lavender’, and ‘Where’s Daddy?’) to generate potential targets for strikes in Gaza.

Gould and Dorsey trace the innovation of these types of AI-driven and autonomous weapon systems amongst the military-industrial-commercial complex. They reflect on how such systems are increasing the speed of warfare and the scale of civilian harm in Gaza and beyond, and explore the current legal frameworks and necessary regulatory guardrails that should be in place in the face of the realities of algorithmic warfare.

In the Concerning War and Conflict Lecture Series, scholars from the field of Conflict Studies look at the case of Gaza through their particular analytical lenses. They aim to provide analytical tools and share knowledge to support and inspire a broader audience of Utrecht University staff, students, and the general public to make sense of this case.

The lectures are open to all, and the Conflict Studies Group strives to create an inclusive and constructive learning environment. All those attending are expected to respect the rules of the collective, which prohibit any form of hate speech, intimidation, and harassment.

The event will take place on September 20, 2024, from 12:45 to 14:00 at Drift 25, Room 002. Attendance is free, but spaces are limited. Please register here to secure your spot.

Read about past and upcoming lectures in the Concerning War and Conflict Series here. 

Image by Hosny Salah