Say Yes - Do No

A site for AI resistance tactics, reclaiming agency and organising for better technology.

“They all say ‘yes’, but they do ‘no’. That has to be it. There’s no other way to explain these figures. If they would do ‘yes’, the figures would have improved by now. [sigh] It would be easier if they would just say ‘no’. Then you could have a conversation about it [staring blankly].” 

(Anon.)

Posts tagged with ai-critical

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AI Solutionism - Three Questions and Two Answers

When AI is presented as a miracle cure for all the ills of the world the first question I always ask is 'how else could we solve this problem?' More or less every time there's an answer waiting in that question, usually one which isn't just well known but often one which has been advocated for by those most inescapably...
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Local Luddism - The Quiet Front

I'm inherently biased towards the everyday forms of resistance, because it's what I research, but even allowing for there does seem to be a growing sense that the best battles to fight when it comes to big tech are the local ones. This case of push back against AI enabled surveillance in a (very) small Colorado town is...
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Event - Breaking Down AI: Technologies, Myths, Realities (King's College London, Strand Campus)

As part of the Reclaiming Futures project at KCL I'll be on a panel on the 8th of July for London Data Week along with some colleagues with similarly critical eyes for AI. The aim is to explore some of the imaginaries (and practicalities) around 'AI' with a view to de-mystifying them a bit. It's open to the public so...
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We're not just fighting AI...

There's a definite contrast amongst those who are openly critical of 'AI' at the moment - and it centres on the perception of the fight. It's an interesting one to approach from a (very) resistance focused position given that, on the one hand, I've no desire for tactical differences to negate broader coalitions but on...
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Dark Patterns in AI Chatbots

Just a quick note to highlight this new report on the use of 'dark patterns' in chatbot design. This is something I've touched on before (and have a paper relating to, in the deep abyss of academic procedure) but it's really good to see these things being highlighted from people with a far deeper focus on the purely...
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Call for Papers: Topical Collection on AI Resistance, Refusal, Reclamation and Reimagining: Ethical Imperatives and Emerging Practices

Happy to be involved in this one given the potentials to get anti and AI critical voices involved. The deadline for submissions is the 31st of July and we're looking for a broad range of voices and part of that is the potential for guest editors to provide support with your work if accepted. We made this choice out of...
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Tech Bros Stole My Friend: Faux-Social LLMs Meet the Market

Sometimes even I, as an ardent Luddite, wish AI companies would be slower in driving their own failure. Recently I've been working on a paper relating to faux-social LLMs - those which mimic relationships, therapy, care etc. In part of the paper I suggest viewing those 'relationships' built with LLMs as toxic or...
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Old Tactics, Neo-Luddites: We're all the problem now...

This article from Wired is well worth a read as it outlines the increasing attempts in the US to problematise and criminalise AI resistance movements. Amongst the Trump administrations fevered politicisation of the intelligence services tech resistance is, seemingly, getting the full Luddite treatment with even...
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Exposure Therapy - AI Resistance Inspired by AI Hype

Between the two distant poles of thought on Artificial Intelligence - those of abolitionism and blind enthusiasm - there lays an infinite and fertile ground for eclectic resistance. In my own views I sit closer to abolition than anything, as looking at AI is more or less my day job I never struggle to find new...
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(Almost) Monday Resistance Update #4

A short update today as I put out the last one on Thursday. Again, I'm running late, but things have certainly gotten busy recently. Normal schedule is slowly resuming, Tuesday is almost Monday after all... -- Article - Gen Z workers are so fearful AI will take their job they’re intentionally sabotaging their company’s...
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(Not Quite) Monday Resistance Update #3

Having been off for the last week or so on my holiday's I've missed a couple of these so figured a Thursday catch-up would be good. Will be back on schedule next week. -- Event - Low-Tech, Luddism and Liberation: reclaiming technology for the collective good (Latvia) First off an excellent looking, week long summer...
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Quick Thought: Faux-LLMs and the Austerity Gap

A recurring theme in looking at people's negative experiences with LLMs (self-defined 'addiction', self-loathing, heightened social isolation etc.) is the predominance of vulnerable people. Mental health issues, uncertainties about gender and sexuality, victimisation, past traumas... It's only anecdotal (quick, someone...
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Monday Resistance Update #2

A roundup of some resistance relevant things I've noticed through the week, a long way from comprehensive. Articles, papers, podcasts, news etc. If anything comes up that you think should be added just get in touch. -- Article - UK Government Backs Down on Opt-Out Nonsense A victory that should never have had to be won,...
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Monday Resistance Update

Going to try to make this a habit, just sharing things I've discovered through the week. Articles, papers, podcasts, news etc. If anything comes up that you think should be added just get in touch. -- Article - ‘I wish I could push ChatGPT off a cliff’: professors scramble to save critical thinking in an age of AI A...
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Summer School - Critical AI Literacies for Resisting and Reclaiming

Not necessarily one everyone will be able to access given the cost and location but definitely an interesting project and one I'd love to see replicated elsewhere. This summer school is organised by some great people, Iris van Rooij is someone I cite in my own work and I've had some contact with Olivia Guest through the...
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