Internal documents: US authorities observe "anti-tech extremism"

US security authorities are monitoring movements critical of technology and are internally warning of growing “anti-tech extremism”. This is evident from internal documents from various authorities such as the US Department of Homeland Security or the FBI, as reported by the US magazine Wired. According to the reports, there is concern in security circles that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) could have serious societal consequences.

Fear of “unrest”

According to Wired, a paper from a New York anti-terrorism unit states: “the chaotic atmosphere that may result from emergent AI technology in the next five years may fuel large-scale protests that devolve into civil unrest and anti-tech violent extremist activity, especially in large urban areas such as New York City,”

In addition to radical critics, protest events and public gatherings are apparently also coming into the focus of the authorities. For example, demonstrations against Tesla were mentioned in the documents. According to the report, various “Fusion Centers”, which serve to coordinate between federal and local security authorities in the US, have also reported on technology-critical statements at public meetings of municipal councils or school administrations. An informational video by a non-profit organization discussing the negative consequences of data centers was also flagged in an earlier security report.

Surveillance by service providers

Not only security authorities are monitoring this new form of alleged extremism, but also, according to the report, private companies that monitor social media on behalf of the state and evaluate it for security purposes. For example, one company reported on activities on a Discord server that called for violence against tech CEOs and power plants.

(rie)