7.10Edut 710 and Microsoft unveil AI tool to memorialize October 7th
7.10
Edut 710 and Microsoft unveil AI tool to memorialize October 7th
The platform, developed by non-profit Edut 710 in collaboration with Microsoft, enables users to create personalized memorial ceremonies based on survivor testimonies, allowing communities worldwide a way to preserve and reflect on the events of October 7th.
On the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attacks, a new initiative, led by Microsoft in collaboration with the non-profit organization Edut 710, offers a way to memorialize the day through cutting-edge technology. This AI-powered platform allows survivors to share their experiences and offers communities in Israel and abroad the chance to create personalized memorial ceremonies. The project is designed to preserve the collective memory of one of the most significant and traumatic days in Israeli and Jewish history and help both survivors and the broader public process and reflect on the attack’s legacy.
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Mourners gather at the site of the Nova massacre to commemorate victims.
(Credit: Getty Images/ Alexi J. Rosenfeld)
The tool was developed as part of Microsoft's annual hackathon at "The Garage," the company's global innovation hub. Engineers from Microsoft Israel Research & Development (R&D) worked together with Edut 710 to create an accessible platform aimed at making survivor testimonies more available to the public. The goal is not only to preserve the memories of October 7th but also to make them a vital part of the national and global dialogue about the attack.
Edut 710 was established to document the testimonies of survivors of the October 7th attacks, creating a lasting record of personal experiences that can be shared with future generations. So far, over 1,200 testimonies have been collected, forming the basis of a national archive that seeks to ensure that these stories are never forgotten. According to Co-founder Ittai Ken-Tor, their collaboration with Microsoft has allowed the organization to move forward with their "commitment to the survivors, their stories, and society at large, ensuring that these testimonies reach a wide audience and are not just preserved in archives. The platform reflects our belief in presenting a broad range of perspectives and empowering each individual to interpret the events in their own way, rather than following a dictated narrative.”
The AI tool allows users to access these testimonies through a sophisticated search system, powered by large language models (LLMs). The tool's AI-driven search functionality enables users to pose natural language questions and retrieve relevant testimonies and materials. For instance, an educator or community leader can search for testimonies related to specific events, locations, or experiences from October 7th, gaining insights from multiple perspectives. This flexibility reflects the platform’s commitment to presenting a pluralistic view of the day's events, rather than imposing a single, fixed interpretation.
The platform goes beyond offering simple access to testimonies; it allows users to curate personalized ceremonies or learning sessions. These can include video testimonies, background materials, philosophical texts, artwork, and even suggested discussion prompts. Once a user has selected the materials they wish to include, the platform generates a custom PowerPoint presentation, tailored to the specific needs of the event or ceremony. The tool is designed to be adaptable, catering to individuals organizing small, private memorials, as well as larger, community-wide gatherings.
A key feature of the platform is its emphasis on personal interaction and reflection. Those who use the platform to share a survivor’s testimony during a memorial or ceremony are encouraged to send personal feedback to the survivor whose story they heard. This practice, according to Ken-Tor, has been identified as an important part of the survivors' healing process. By receiving messages of gratitude or reflections on their testimonies, survivors are able to feel that their experiences are valued and have had an impact on those who heard them. This interaction also fosters a deeper connection between survivors and the broader community, turning the act of remembrance into a two-way exchange.
The flexibility of the platform also allows for a range of interpretations of the events of October 7th. By providing multiple perspectives from survivors of the same event or location, the tool emphasizes that no single narrative can encapsulate the complexity of the day. This reflects a conscious decision by both Microsoft and Edut 710 to avoid categorizing the events under rigid labels, allowing individuals to draw their own conclusions and engage with the testimonies in a way that feels meaningful to them.
One of the central aims of the project is to make the events of October 7th accessible around the world beyond Israel. The platform is available in both Hebrew and English, and plans are underway to expand it into additional languages in the coming year. This makes the tool particularly valuable for Jewish and Israeli communities abroad, who may wish to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks but lack access to survivors who can physically attend their events. With the help of the AI tool, these communities can still hear firsthand accounts from survivors, enhancing their understanding of the events and their impact.
Ady Mor-Biran, Director of The Garage in India, the Middle East, and Africa, spoke about the importance of this project for Microsoft employees and the broader community. "It’s inspiring and fills me with pride to see Microsoft employees leveraging the most advanced technology for such a meaningful and important cause. This project exemplifies the power of technological innovation, particularly AI, in serving the community, and emphasizes our commitment to remembering and honoring the victims and survivors of the events of October 7th."
As the platform continues to develop, there are plans to expand its functionality and reach. In addition to adding more languages, the team hopes to incorporate even more materials into the platform, making it a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in learning about the October 7th attacks. Ken-Tor emphasized that the project is far from complete and that Edut 710 remains committed to gathering more testimonies and supplementary materials.
