Google provided the Israeli military with access to its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools during the war on Gaza, according to a report by the Washington Post.
The report stated that shortly after the war began in October 2023, a Google cloud employee pushed for Israel’s defense ministry to have expanded access to the company’s AI tools. This included Google’s Vertex AI, which uses algorithms to analyze a client’s data.
Documents revealed that Google employees warned the company could lose business to Amazon if it didn’t approve Israel’s request. Under the $1.2 billion “Project Nimbus” partnership signed in 2021, Google and Amazon already supply cloud computing and AI services to Israel’s government and military.
A November 2023 document showed Google staff discussing Israel’s requests, while later documents from 2024 indicated additional AI tools, including Google’s Gemini AI, were being sought by the military.
The report didn’t clarify how Israel used these tools. However, the Post previously reported that Israel’s military used an internal AI tool, Habsora, to generate thousands of Palestinian targets. Some Israeli commanders expressed concerns over the tool’s accuracy and reliance.
Over the past year, Google faced criticism from employees opposing Project Nimbus. Protests were organized under the group “Googlers Against Genocide,” but workers claimed they faced intimidation for supporting Palestinian rights.
In addition, leaked information revealed Google matched employee donations to pro-Israeli charities, including one supporting Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza and a Christian Zionist group aiding Israeli settlements.
Both Google and Amazon have declined to comment on the report.
Source: middleeasteye
