Humanity hinges on power politics. Irrespective of what the world engages in, there is always someone who wields an insurmountable power and another at their mercy. History has witnessed this occurrence, mostly helplessly. The present is also an unwilling victim of power dynamics and the future will be one too. As if it was not bad enough to traditionally be plagued with power dynamics, now there is a new player on the field who is exacerbating the issue. And it is none other than AI; the boon and bane of the world. The crime that it is guilty of this time around is one that is substantial and will come with irreversible repercussions. It goes by the name of digital colonialism.
Digital colonialism
The discourse around AI’s caveats often speaks about it as if AI is solely responsible for everything that is going down. If it is an achievement, humans are happy to swoop in to claim credit. If it is a downside, the entirety of the world, including the tech billionaires who have the world in the palms of their hands, will wash their hands off of the crime as fast as they can. No one is held responsible, except AI. There is an ample amount of criticism with regard to how AI perpetuates biases and wreaks havoc in most things that it is a part of, but there is not enough research done on who is behind all its misdeeds.
Digital colonisation happens on two levels. One, on the outer layers, between powerful countries who are pioneers in it and the powerless countries who are not entitled to an opinion about how they can use AI. The other is colonial ideas that are fed into the systems so that whenever one uses AI systems like ChatGPT, the responses that they spew are inherently skewed. While it is difficult to gauge which of the two are the lesser evils, what can be confidently stated is that both aspects are equal shareholders of humanity’s demise. The control over advanced AI systems bequeaths immense influence over various aspects of society, including finance, healthcare, politics, and entertainment. Akin to historical colonial powers imposing their languages, cultures, and laws on conquered territories, the dominance of AI by certain entities could lead to a form of digital colonisation. It is not a coincidence that tech behemoths and singular names such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos are the ones who are sitting on thrones and reigning the tech domain. It is because they have their power parked in one of the greatest assets of our time (AI). Unsurprisingly, it is mostly the ‘superpowers’ that have an extensive handle on AI and its portfolio. Therefore, in a scenario as such, algorithms, values, and norms could be imposed globally, taking over the information flow, economic beneficiaries, and voices in the global discourse. Unlike traditional colonisation, digital colonisation can occur without public awareness or consent. Because most countries invite companies who specialise in AI with open arms, under the assumption that it is a win-win situation. It does bring forth a considerable number of benefits, but at the same time, it roots itself as an all-encompassing power that cannot be removed. Not as a supplement or an external aid, but as something whose power is indisputable.
The recent AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK had 28 nations signing an agreement to form a partnership when using AI. However, there are doubts about whether all nations will work in unity and equally share global regulations for AI. Given the exorbitant investments that the U.S and China have made in AI, an equal distribution of AI regulations is a far cry from reality. China, with its state-driven investments and initiatives like the ‘New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan’, has been a formidable force, while the US seeks to build a coalition of like-minded nations to counterbalance China’s expanding influence. The competition extends to technological standards, cybersecurity, control over global supply chains, and the formation of alliances and rivalries that transcend traditional borders.
AI as the ‘white saviour’
Part two of digital colonisation is digital imperialism, one that is taking place as we speak and in quite a subtle manner. It is like the AI superpowers are playing Russian roulette on the subjugated nations. The difference here however is that the ones pulling the trigger know exactly which round is loaded. The AI that is exported to the South often brings embedded Western norms and philosophies. Interestingly, it is presented as a means to assist people in underdeveloped nations, it is frequently imposed on them without consultation, feeding off of and feeding into the marginalisation. The impact of these technologies is not always considered from the perspective of individuals in remote locations, leading to a lack of attention to their specific needs and concerns.
Digital colonialism is rooted in the control over how technology functions, often seen in proprietary software that restricts users from understanding or modifying the source code. As mentioned in Al Jazeera, advocates for Free and Open Source Software, like Richard Stallman, argue for the importance of providing users the freedom to control their computers. Free Software licences aim to secure these freedoms, enabling users to use, study, modify, and share the software. However, the rise of surveillance capitalism and centralised Internet services poses new challenges, especially with cloud computing. While Free Software promotes accountability for software within users’ devices, it cannot address the lack of control over cloud services run by corporations. The concentration of data in these services, often referred to as “data is the new oil,” enhances the power of tech giants, creating a feedback loop that further consolidates their influence.
AI needs to be regulated. That goes without saying. To prevent AI supremacy from becoming a new form of colonisation, governments, businesses, and civil society must establish ethical standards, ensure transparency, and guard against the concentration of AI power. Prioritising equitable distribution of AI benefits, respecting human rights, and preserving democratic values are crucial for shaping a positive AI-powered future for all. Collective global action is essential to avoid AI becoming a tool of colonisation in the hands of a select few.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)