A/80/496 racial and ethnic groups. 29 As the Special Rapporteur outlined in her report for the fifty-sixth session of the Human Rights Council, 30 data problems, algorithm design problems and accountability issues can lead to unintended discriminatory outcomes. For example, as was highlighted in a submission received by the Special Rapporteur, the application of artificial intelligence to the optimization of humanitarian aid delivery, unless carefully designed and deployed, could exacerbate existing inequalities and discrimination, potentially leading to unequal access for vulnerable populations. 31 21. As was also highlighted in the Special Rapporteur’s previous report, there are cases in which artificial intelligence can be used for explicitly discriminatory purposes, including in conflict contexts. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur wishes to highlight her grave concern about the use of autonomous weapon systems within conflict situations. Autonomous weapons systems include any weapon system with autonomy in its critical functions, including lethal autonomous weapons and less lethal weapons. She received several submissions about the racially disproportionate impact of such weapons. 32 There is a serious risk of grave and, in some circumstances, deadly racial discrimination resulting from the use of autonomous weapon systems. The criteria used to select targets likely include gender, age and race. Target profiles can include seemingly neutral criteria, but the machines often reflect the biases of their programmers and society. They can also be programmed with intentionally discriminatory targets. For example, Israel has reportedly been using lethal autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems. This reportedly includes the use of remote-controlled quadcopters to target Palestinians, in addition to automated target generation systems, operating at unparalleled speed and volume, to produce “kill lists”. The Gospel and Lavender, two artificial intelligence technology systems used by the Israel Defense Forces, are reported to have intensified the levels of destruction in Gaza, resulting in significant causalities, disproportionally affecting Palestinian women and children. 33 22. The Special Rapporteur reiterates the call made in her previous report for States to address the challenge of regulating artificial intelligence with a greater sense of urgency. She stresses the need to develop regulatory frameworks that are based on a comprehensive understanding of systemic racism and that are grounded in international human rights law, including the prohibition of racial discrimination, as well as an understanding of the impact of such technologies in conflict settings. 34 Impact of conflict on civilians 23. Civilians overwhelmingly bear the brunt of contemporary conflicts around the world. Recent trends demonstrate that indiscriminate and disproportionate violence tends to occur more in urban areas and/or be targeted towards public spaces, resulting in an increased risk of harm to civilians. The increasing use of starvation as a weapon of war, including through the blockade of humanitarian aid, also has devastating impacts on civilians, including children. 35 Horrific details of reports of the consistent denial of access to humanitarian aid, including for children, in Gaza, the Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Haiti, Yemen and Myanmar, is extremely concerning. 36 For example, the operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has been banned from Israeli-controlled territory since __________________ 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 25-16958 Submission from 4Métrica. See also A/HRC/56/68. See A/HRC/56/68. Submission from South Africa. Submissions from the State of Palestine and HRLN. See A/HRC/56/68. Ibid. See S/2025/389. United Nations and World Bank, Pathways for Peace. 9/21