AI warfare demands a new era of humanitarian law

Warfare now increasingly relies on artificial intelligence (AI) for targeting, using algorithms to process geolocated cell phone data and generate probability scores for targeting potential adversaries.12 When these predictive methods are integrated into aggressive military tactics such as the Dahiya doctrine,3 which justifies demolishing civilian infrastructure to eliminate a single target, this shows that AI enabled “precision strikes” are not meant to safeguard innocent lives. Equally, the killing of doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and paramedics and bombing hospitals4 makes a mockery of medical neutrality.The US Operation Epic Fury shows the risks of using AI for military planning and targeting.5 Roughly 2 000 targets were struck within the first four days, reportedly killing over 1 100 civilians including 181 children. The bombing of Shajarah Tayyebeh school in Iran killed over 150 students.26Armed combat is regulated by international humanitarian law, which includes the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.78 International law stipulates…