VUB Plans to End AI Research Ties with Israeli Institutions Over Ethics

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), a Flemish-speaking institution, has made plans to cease its collaboration with Israeli entities on artificial intelligence research projects. The decision comes with the university's intent to approach the European Commission—the project's funder—about the potential to withdraw from it, as reported by the Brussels Times.

Citing "ethical reasons" for its decision, VUB highlighted that it previously engaged with two Israeli institutions on an AI research initiative. The push towards ending these partnerships stems from a negative evaluation by the university's ethics committee. In articulating its motive, VUB expressed a desire for greater transparency concerning its engagements with Israeli organizations, particularly against the backdrop of intensifying conflicts in the Middle East. Furthermore, the university has committed to re-evaluating its ongoing projects with Israel—currently numbering seven—to decide on future collaborations.

In its announcement, VUB revealed plans to petition the European Commission for approval to terminate its involvement in the collaboration. The projects fall under the European Union's Horizon Europe program, which supports scientific research and innovation. Israel is an eligible partner country.

European Commission spokesperson Johannes Bahrke clarified that an entity’s decision to leave a project is not against EU rules, though the implications of such a decision depend on the specific agreements in place.

VUB isn't alone in facing calls from within to halt collaborations with Israel. Recent weeks have seen a surge in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Belgian universities. For instance, University of Ghent students occupied their campus on a Monday, and the following Tuesday saw students from Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), another Brussels-based institution, staging similar protests.