In the wake of ChatGPT 3.5's debut in November 2022, the discourse surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) has primarily revolved around the potential and pitfalls of generative AI. While the current dialogue is dominated by optimistic and critical perspectives, Dan McQuillan's "Resisting AI," released months prior, takes a divergent stance that remains pertinent. McQuillan's critique, in contrast to the prevailing hype, confronts what he terms "AI Realism" and questions the transformative potential of conversational AI systems like ChatGPT.
Although McQuillan adeptly dissects the technical intricacies of machine learning, the essence of his argument transcends technicalities. He posits, somewhat soberingly, that AI is not a harbinger of an alternative sci-fi future but rather an augmentation of the existing bureaucratic order. Drawing parallels with critiques of bureaucratic solutionism, McQuillan outlines how AI, aligned with neoliberalism, can be co-opted for potentially fascist ends. His concerns extend to AI's role in reinforcing existing injustices, exemplified by optimizing welfare distribution based on preexisting biases, and the environmental impact of massive neural networks.
While the book masterfully connects AI with neoliberal trajectories and environmental concerns, the link between AI and fascism is portrayed more vaguely. McQuillan relies on an antifascist critique of bureaucracy, offering continuity with twentieth-century social theory and political struggles. This approach leverages the historical resistance against exclusion and enclosure, yet it sacrifices some specificity regarding the current technological landscape—an area where McQuillan's expertise could have provided deeper insights.
The book hints at a nuanced connection between AI and fascism, suggesting that AI amplifies social contradictions that fascism purports to resolve. However, this intriguing proposition remains underdeveloped, with the speculative nature of how fascism "will claim to solve" demanding further exploration.
The book's focus on the social implications of AI over technical details mirrors broader tensions between technical and social perspectives on emerging technologies. McQuillan, prioritizing the societal impact of AI, delves into political alternatives in the latter part of the book. However, these discussions become metaphysical and lack the clarity found in the majority of the text. The advice proffered for an anti-fascist approach to AI appears to be a categorical rejection, with little consideration for potential emancipatory uses.
In essence, "Resisting AI" challenges the prevailing narrative, urging readers to critically assess the societal implications of AI beyond the current hype. While some aspects may remain underexplored, the book serves as a timely contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding the role of AI in shaping our future.
