In July, content creator Harrison Stewart, also known as Chaise, sparked attention on TikTok with a skit using the anti-AI slur "clanker." The video depicted him as a disapproving father confronting his daughter’s robot boyfriend in a dystopian future, referring to the robot as model number 626 S Series. Stewart’s comedic take on the term quickly made him a popular figure in clanker-themed content, amassing millions of views. However, by August, he announced he would stop producing such videos, citing that the humor was turning racist.
Stewart noted his discomfort when comments such as "cligger" and "clanka" directed at him appeared, rather than towards the fictional robots he was mocking. The term "clanker" traces back to a 1950s science fiction narrative and was popularized in the Star Wars franchise as a derogatory reference to droids. Its recent surge in popularity has also coincided with a growing backlash against AI technology.
The term has triggered over 2 million Google searches and prompted considerable discussion online, with public figures like Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego referencing it in their communications about AI and robotic interactions.
On platforms like TikTok and Instagram, creators have adopted the term in comedic skits that imagine a world where robots have been integrated into everyday life. Yet, many of these videos have raised concerns by drawing parallels between clankers and marginalized groups, effectively perpetuating historical racism. One skit shows a character dressed as a police officer making derogatory comments and alluding to racial segregation, while another features a waitress refusing service to a clanker.
Samuel Jacob, who created one of these skits, acknowledged the historical context he was tapping into but emphasized that he didn’t hold the beliefs portrayed in his work. He categorized his skit as "rage-baiting," while also admitting to the joke’s provocative nature.
Moya Bailey, a media studies professor, connected the anti-Black subtext of some clanker jokes to broader societal and racial themes, suggesting that creators may have found a convenient excuse to engage in racist humor under the guise of parodying technology.
While some TikTok users defend the trend as non-racist, commenting that "it’s not that deep," others, like Stewart, argue that the unintentional endorsement of racist tropes and humor needs to be critically examined. Stewart expressed frustration that people used his original content as a shield for offending material, highlighting a frequent pattern in media where Black individuals are made the butt of jokes.
Furthermore, racism within the AI industry is not just a reflection in jokes but extends to systemic issues, including how AI data from various demographics has manifested bias, impacting the portrayal of people of color.
Bailey and Stewart’s observations underscore the necessity for greater scrutiny regarding the references and stereotypes used in anti-AI humor, advocating for a consciousness about who benefits from such jokes. Stewart shared, “I see a pattern with how Black people are portrayed in the media and how we’re the butt of the joke at the end of the day.”
