AI to Monitor Gaza Classrooms Sparks Controversy

An American aid organization, Gaza Children Village, led by Palestinian-American neurosurgeon Dr. David Hasan, plans to implement an AI system to monitor classrooms in Gaza. The initiative aims to analyze recorded lessons for instances of antisemitism or incitement, ensuring that curricula promote tolerance towards Israelis and Jews. Hasan, who founded the organization after volunteering in Gaza, stated he grew up with negative perceptions of Israelis and Jews and wants to expose children to different viewpoints early on.

The organization has established "Academies of Hope" schools in central and southern Gaza, using a curriculum based on the Palestinian Authority's but with alleged removal of content encouraging violence. Hasan claims to have removed such material but did not provide specific examples to the Associated Press (AP), which first reported on the plan. The use of problematic content in Palestinian textbooks, including using the number of "martyrs" for math problems, has been previously documented by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The AI system is intended to record conversations between teachers and students, analyze them for suspicious statements, and alert Hasan. He stated recordings would be kept for 72 hours and that the technology has been tested for use in dozens of classrooms, though the AP could not verify its operational status. Questions remain about which expressions would trigger an alert and who defines the line between legitimate discussion and incitement.

Concerns have been raised within the organization itself. Bishara Bahbah, a board member, told the AP he was unaware of the surveillance plan and that it was not discussed by the board, expressing worries about teachers and students fearing free expression. Some teachers and staff reportedly fear interrogation by Hamas over the curriculum, while others are uncomfortable with the organization receiving support from Israeli aid groups. A cooperating aid group also expressed concern about potential repercussions.

Further questions surround the security of the recordings. While Hasan stated the recordings would not be shared externally, the identity of the system's developers remains unclear. Hasan attributed the development to PollyLabs, a New York-based nonprofit, but PollyLabs denied any involvement.