The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, has generated significant public interest and raised profound societal concerns. The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 marked a pivotal moment, igniting a surge of discussions and apprehensions about its impact. While AI offers considerable promise, especially in professional domains like software development and digital marketing, it is not without its perils, notably in the realm of far-right extremism. Political leaders and experts have voiced escalating worries about AI’s potential exploitation by extremist factions, as underscored by a 2018 joint report. Recent events, including Secretary-General António Guterres’ warning about AI’s capacity to facilitate widespread harm, further underscore these concerns. UK Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has also emphasized how generative AI and chatbots contribute to online extremism and radicalization.
A survey by the Anti-Defamation League in May 2023 revealed that a majority of Americans are concerned about AI’s implications, such as spreading false information, radicalization, and promoting hate and antisemitism. This paper presents findings from extensive far-right channel monitoring conducted between April and July 2023. Our analysis reveals four central themes in the far-right’s discourse on AI: (i) Allegations of Bias, (ii) Antisemitic Conspiracies, (iii) Strategies to Overcome AI Limitations, and (iv) Malicious AI Use.
The far-right’s engagement with AI spans debates on AI reliability, strategies to navigate its limitations, and nefarious applications, including autonomous attacks and disinformation campaigns.
This paper serves as an urgent alert to inform policymakers, intelligence agencies, and military entities. Understanding the far-right’s perspective on AI is critical in shaping proactive strategies and countermeasures in a world where AI continues to exert a multifaceted influence on society.
