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Algorithmic extremism? The securitization of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on radicalism, polarization and political violence

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  • Burton, Joe

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is often framed as a tool to be used to counter violent extremism. This paper seeks to make a contribution to scholarship on the use of AI by considering the other side of the debate: how AI and algorithms themselves can and are being used to radicalize, polarize, and spread racism and political instability. The central argument of the paper is that AI and algorithms are not just tools deployed by national security agencies to prevent malicious activity online, but contributors to polarization, radicalism and political violence. Further to this, securitization processes have been instrumental in how AI has been designed, used and to the harmful otucomes that it has generated. The paper begins with an analysis of the connections between AI, polarization, radicalism and political violence. Drawing on the ‘Copenhagen School’ of International Relations theory, it then moves on to an empirical assessment of how AI has been securitized throughout its history, and in media and popular culture depictions, and by exploring a number of modern examples of AI having polarizing, radicalizing effects that have contributed to political violence. The third section of the article examines AI technology itself, arguing that problems exist in the design of AI, the data that it relies on, how it is used, and in its outcomes and impacts. The final section draws conclusions and policy implications, arguing that a reconceptualisation of AI-enabled security is necessary that is more attuned to the human, social and psychological impacts of the technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Burton, Joe, 2023. "Algorithmic extremism? The securitization of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on radicalism, polarization and political violence," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:75:y:2023:i:c:s0160791x23000672
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102262
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Daron Acemoglu & Asuman Ozdaglar & James Siderius, 2025. "AI and Social Media: A Political Economy Perspective," NBER Chapters, in: The Political Economy of Artificial Intelligence, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Thembekile O. Mayayise, 2024. "The Ethical and Privacy Implications of Datafication and Digitalization in Developing Country Contexts," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 67(1), pages 34-41, June.
    3. Li, Jian & Zhao, Jingdi & Huang, Jinsong, 2025. "Social avoidance needs boost AI's nonsocial attribute valuation in secret consumption," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Yang, Hui & Li, Dan & Hu, Peng, 2024. "Decoding algorithm fatigue: The role of algorithmic literacy, information cocoons, and algorithmic opacity," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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