Tel Aviv. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF ) refer to the recent confrontation with Gaza as the “first AI war”. During the fighting, advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies were used to navigate through the incredible amount of intelligence it collected on the Hamas in Gaza in recent years.

For the first time, artificial intelligence (AI) was a key component and force multiplier in fighting the enemy,” said a senior officer in the Defence Forces of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), as quoted by the Israeli media. The 8200 elite intelligence unit used software systems called “Alchemist,” “The Gospel,” and “The Depth of Wisdom” to increase the IDF’s already overwhelming superiority over militants in the Gaza strip.

AI-enabled analysis was applied to vast amounts of data collected using satellite imaging, surveillance cameras, communications interception and human intelligence, the IDF claimed. The volume of information was amazing. The IDF said, for example, that every particular point in Gaza was filmed at least 10 times a day during the conflict.

Israeli intelligence also claimed that its technology made it possible to map with great accuracy the network of tunnels under Gaza, which were used by Palestinian militants. Israeli companies have in recent years developed AI based tools for the military intelligence. These tools are carried by different platforms in the air, on the ground and at sea to collect and analyse the ” Big Data” and supply each fire source the relevant targets at any given moment of the fighting.

-The writer is an International Roving Correspondent of the publication.