Fighting Fascism – Day Forty-Seven– Is Artificial Intelligence a tool of fascism?

This is a different kind of blog that intends to spur discussion more than action. I am very interested to know what you think about the political potential (positive and negative) of artificial intelligence. It will definitely disrupt labor markets, that is for sure, if it lives up to its promise of performing more complex tasks. However, can it also effectively limit liberties, thwart democracy, and enable those who have a fascist agenda, such as the current administration? Dan McQuillan, in his book “Resisting AI: An Anti-Fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence” claims that AI is inherently fascistic: “AI not only undermines due process but produces thoughtlessness.”

But can’t the opposite also be true? Can it serve the resistance? It appears that AI’s increasing role in our economy, polity and society is inevitable. Discussing what we do about this is essential for any resistance strategy going forward.

Finally, there is the tremendous use of water and energy needed to run these huge language models, an environmental cost that should also be considered. It is a very wasteful technology and some of argued that it should be limited for that reason only. Others argue that technological solutions (always technological solutions) can be found to that problem.

When I asked ChatGPT and Deep Seek how to combat fascism, they returned answers in line with much of what I have discussed in these blogs. Here is an example from ChatGPT:

“Fighting fascism requires a combination of awareness, activism, and community engagement. Here are some key strategies:

1. Educate Yourself and Others
   • Learn about the history of fascism, its warning signs, and how it gains power.
   • Share knowledge to help others recognize and resist authoritarian tendencies.
2. Promote Democracy and Human Rights
   • Defend democratic values such as freedom of speech, equality, and justice.
   • Support policies and organizations that protect civil liberties.
3. Engage in Grassroots Organizing
   • Build or join community groups that work to oppose hate speech, discrimination, and extremist ideologies.
   • Organize peaceful protests, campaigns, and petitions.
4. Support Marginalized Communities
   • Be an ally to those targeted by fascist rhetoric and policies.
   • Volunteer time or donate to organizations supporting refugees, immigrants, and minority groups.
5. Challenge Misinformation and Propaganda
   • Fact-check and counter false narratives used to spread fear and division.
   • Promote independent journalism and credible sources of information.
6. Participate in Politics
   • Vote in elections and encourage others to do the same.
   • Support candidates and leaders who oppose authoritarianism.
7. Build Solidarity Networks
   • Connect with activists and groups internationally to share strategies and resources.
   • Strengthen community ties to resist division and polarization.
8. Confront Hate Peacefully
   • Avoid violence but remain firm in confronting hate speech and actions.
   • Use creative forms of protest like art, music, and theater to raise awareness.
9. Protect Vulnerable Institutions
   • Advocate for judicial independence, free media, and fair elections.
   • Hold leaders accountable through legal means and public pressure.
10. Stay Vigilant and Persistent
    • Fascism often rises during times of crisis, so continuous engagement is necessary.”
    • Keep up the pressure even when threats seem diminished.

Resistance to fascism is most effective when it is organized, inclusive, and consistent.”

It also listed several organizations (many of which I had already cited in earlier blogs) that it deemed important to support when resisting fascism. But was it just telling me what I wanted to hear? I also asked Chat GPT whether AI was fascistic or anti-fascistic. Here was its answer.

The impact of AI on the rise or resistance against fascism is complex and multifaceted. Here are ways in which AI can both contribute to and combat authoritarian tendencies:

Contributing to Fascism:

1. Misinformation and Propaganda: AI can be used to create and disseminate misinformation, deepfakes, and propaganda, which can manipulate public opinion and sow discord.
2. Surveillance and Control: Governments may use AI for surveillance and monitoring of citizens, potentially stifling dissent and infringing on civil liberties.
3. Polarization: Algorithms that prioritize sensational or divisive content can contribute to societal polarization, making it easier for extremist ideologies to take root.
4. Automated Decision-Making: Bias in AI systems can lead to discriminatory practices, reinforcing existing inequalities and fueling resentment.

Fighting Fascism:

1. Fact-Checking and Misinformation Detection: AI tools can help identify and counter misinformation, providing people with accurate information and promoting informed discourse.
2. Empowering Civil Society: AI can assist organizations in mobilizing resources, analyzing data for advocacy, and reaching broader audiences to promote democratic values.
3. Promoting Transparency: AI can enhance transparency in government operations, helping to hold officials accountable and ensuring that citizens have access to critical information.
4. Facilitating Dialogue: AI can be used to create platforms for constructive dialogue, helping to bridge divides and foster understanding among diverse groups.
5. Data Analysis for Social Justice: AI can be utilized to analyze social issues, identify patterns of inequality, and inform policy decisions that promote equity and justice.

In summary, AI has the potential to both exacerbate authoritarian tendencies and serve as a powerful tool for promoting democracy and social justice. The outcome largely depends on how AI is designed, implemented, and regulated, as well as the intentions of those who wield it.

When asked, ChatGPT indicated that AI should be regulated, be driven by ethical guidelines, and designed transparently to prevent more nefarious uses (just what I wanted to hear!), but we can only wonder how that could happen. Dan McQuillan asks, “… whether the giant AI corporations would balk at putting the levers of mass correlation at the disposal of regimes seeking national rebirth through rationalized ethnocentrism.” Considering what we have experienced over the last few weeks, we know the answer to that question. More damning, MacQuillan argues in another paper that any attempt to control potential toxicity of ChatGPT: “can’t change the fact that the underlying language patterns were learned from the raw internet, including all the ravings and conspiracy theories. Considering AI’s inevitability, (some argue that it is not inevitable and it will be proven to be mostly hype – I’m not so sure). do we have a choice but to figure out how the resistance can put AI to use? To subvert its fascistic propensity? What do you think?