The Dark Side of AI: Resisting Authoritarian Politics & Hackers’ Battle Against It
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our society, but its impact is not always neutral. AI technologies are deeply intertwined with social, economic, and political power imbalances, as highlighted by Dan McQuillan, author of Resisting AI: an anti-fascist approach to artificial intelligence and a lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London.
McQuillan argues that current AI systems tend to reinforce authoritarian forms of politics that exclude certain individuals or groups from agency. These technologies exacerbate existing social injustices, making it crucial to rethink their role in our society.
However, McQuillan doesn’t just advocate for a pessimistic view of AI. He believes in taking direct action against the negative impacts of AI. For example, he suggests opposing the construction of new data centers in areas with water access issues. Additionally, he proposes participatory social projects that enable communities to envision alternative uses of the technology. McQuillan draws inspiration from Stafford Beer, a British cybernetician who advised the Salvador Allende government in Chile until it was overthrown by a fascist coup in 1973.
Interestingly, hackers are also actively fighting against AI. According to a study by Bugcrowd, 72% of ethical hackers believe that AI will never match the creativity of human hackers. However, 62% of respondents admit to integrating generative AI into their security workflows. The emerging Generation Z hackers, who are now prevalent in the community, are likely to embrace AI as a digital assistant. Yet, they are also more inclined towards the emancipatory and participatory politics espoused by McQuillan. Around 50% of the Bugcrowd respondents are involved in social or community groups related to cybersecurity.
With the rise of AI and machine learning, the impact on datacenters is significant. Fleur Doidge’s feature on the GenAI’s effect on the datacenter industry highlights that an AI-optimized datacenter will differ from traditional enterprise-focused ones. Embracing generative AI is expected to enhance staff productivity and efficiency, providing great benefits in terms of processing and storage. However, datacenter operators must also be prepared for potential protests and opposition from concerned individuals.
In conclusion, AI’s dark side lies in its potential to reinforce authoritarian politics and exacerbate social injustices. While hackers and datacenter operators have their own approaches to AI, it is necessary to address the imbalances of power and envision alternative uses of this technology. By embracing a participatory approach and taking action against negative implications, we can strive for a more equitable and inclusive AI-driven future.
