Peloni: Natasha Hausdorff and Prof. Richard Susskind, the world’s most cited author on the future of legal services and a leading expert on the impact of AI on society, discusses both the challenges and opportunities which are available in the war on antisemitism with the the advancing developments and employment of artificial intelligence. He cautions that this is not a simple topic, and that this discussion should be understood to be more of an introduction rather than an encompassing review of the topic.
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Professor Susskind emphasizes that artificial intelligence will have a dual impact on antisemitism, acting as both a tool for harm and a tool for defense. He explains that AI should be understood to be neither inherently good nor bad, but can actually be employed to amplify both positive and negative intentions.
On the threat side, four major risks are highlighted. First, AI could enable the weaponization of harmful capabilities, allowing individuals or small groups to develop dangerous tools, such as advanced weapons, which would previously have required large organizations. Second, AI may drive the industrialization of antisemitic propaganda, enabling the mass production and distribution of disinformation, deepfakes, and hateful content, amplified by bots and algorithms that reinforce prejudice and radicalization while evading moderation. Third, AI could facilitate targeted victimization, allowing coordinated, large-scale harassment campaigns against individuals using powerful research and automation tools. Fourth, AI enhances organizational capacity, enabling small groups to recruit, coordinate, and operate like large, sophisticated movements.
At the same time, AI offers significant opportunities to combat antisemitism. It can support large-scale research, education, and awareness efforts; counter misinformation; and amplify positive voices. AI can also improve detection and moderation of harmful content, identify bot activity, and provide early warning of emerging threats or coordinated campaigns. Additional benefits would include real-time translation of global antisemitic discourse and accessible guidance, support, and training for affected communities.
Rather than reacting passively, Susskind urges communities to adopt a proactive and coordinated strategy—one which integrates expertise, resources, and technology to simultaneously defend against and counter antisemitism at scale. Noting that short-term impacts will largely involve automation of existing processes, he explains that the long-term implications, particularly with the potential emergence of advanced AI (AGI), could be seen to be transformative and would require serious strategic planning.
Professor Richard Susskind CBE KC (Hon) is the world’s most cited author on the future of legal services and a leading expert on the impact of AI on society. He is President of the Society for Computers and Law and, from 1998 to 2023, he served as Technology Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. In 2024, Richard was appointed Special Envoy for Justice and AI to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Richard specialises in three fields – in the future of professional services, in the future of courts and dispute resolution, and in the impact of AI on society, business, and humanity. He advises leading professional firms, in-house legal departments, and governments and judiciaries around the world. In the 1980s, he wrote his doctorate on AI and the law at Balliol College, Oxford.
This is a good opportunity to point out that “artificial” intelligence necessarily exhibits something like belief much like belief is a natural necessity in natural intelligence. Antisemitism is a system of beliefs. Intelligence requires judging and testing belief and the beliefs of antisemitism are rooted in religion which can naturally resist judging and testing belief. The most enduring religious beliefs are those can stand the most judging and testing.