The role of AI in deciphering the root causes of conflicts
In the face of complex conflicts that have been rooted for centuries, the United Nations (UN) is seeking innovative solutions. In this perspective, it has recently commissioned the development of an artificial intelligence capable of modeling the underlying causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in order to facilitate an exit from the crisis. This task notably involves feeding the AI with data collected on the ground through exchanges in the region, particularly in the West Bank. According to the media outlet The Wired, the CulturePulse tool can take into account over 80 categories for each concerned individual: anger, anxiety, personality, financial situation, racism, etc. Demographic data, religious beliefs, moral values, and many other psychologically and sociologically relevant parameters are also integrated, making this AI a true artificial society simulating relationships between individuals.
Simulations to explore solutions to the conflict
By modifying certain factors in the simulations – such as economic prosperity or political variations – it is possible to observe the changes that this would entail for the individuals concerned. Thus, this program resembles more of a simulation tool allowing the exploration and testing of potential solutions to exit the crisis. It is noteworthy that this platform has already been used to work on other conflicts, such as those in Ireland, South Sudan, the Balkans, and during the refugee crisis in Lesbos, with very encouraging results.
A meticulous work of data collection and analysis
The development of artificial intelligence involves a significant data collection effort. It requires gathering a multitude of information from the actors of the conflict, both at the political and economic or social levels. The goal is to better understand the mechanisms at play to identify the levers to be acted upon to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, caution must be exercised regarding the use of AI as a conflict resolution tool. Indeed, while it can help to identify certain trends and analyze the complex parameters at play, artificial intelligence cannot fully replace human expertise and dialogue between the various stakeholders.
The ethical question: how far to go with AI?
While the use of artificial intelligence to resolve such ancient and complex conflicts seems promising, it also raises ethical questions. How far should we go to exploit this technology in this field? How can we ensure the transparency and accuracy of the data used to feed the algorithms? It is essential to establish clear rules and implement control mechanisms to ensure that these tools are not misused for malicious purposes. Cooperation between various international bodies, such as the UN and various specialized organizations, as well as the concerned local stakeholders, seems to be the best way forward to ensure a responsible and optimal use of artificial intelligence in conflict resolution.
Promising perspectives for the role of AI
Ultimately, it is evident that artificial intelligence offers unprecedented and promising possibilities for better understanding the root causes of conflicts and considering appropriate solutions. However, it is important to bear in mind that these tools are merely a support and cannot substitute for the work of human experts and the essential negotiations between stakeholders. Thus, the implementation of AI in the resolution of conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be carried out with caution and discernment, while taking into account the ethical issues involved. Only time will tell if this technology will truly contribute to providing lasting and effective answers to the disputes that have torn our world apart for too long.
