In the year 2025, there was a collective decision to coin a common pejorative term for robots.
In the realm of pop culture, the term "clanker" has gained a new lease of life, serving as a pejorative label for artificial intelligence (AI) and robots. Originating from the Star Wars universe in 2005, the term has found a second wind as a reflection of societal anxiety and resentment towards the increasing presence of AI and automation in daily life.
The word "clanker" was first coined in the 2005 video game Star Wars: Republic Commando and later popularized by the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where it was used to insult battle droids. The term is onomatopoeic, derived from the sound "clank" representing the metallic noise of robots.
In recent years, "clanker" has gained renewed usage as a derogatory term for real-world AI and robots. This resurgence connects the fictional insult against droids to broader concerns about AI's impact, such as job displacement and loss of human contact. The term is often used humorously or ironically but can also indicate deeper unease or backlash towards AI technology.
The term's adoption as a slur may facilitate prejudice not only against machines but possibly against people working with AI, mirroring historical patterns of dehumanizing marginalized groups. Some linguists note this reflects a paradoxical desire to both humanize and diminish AI's perceived power.
Other derogatory terms for AI, like "bot-licker," "grokkers," "tin skin," and "toaster," have also emerged, but "clanker" stands out due to its strong pop culture roots and growing popularity as a concise insult for AI and robots.
The term "clanker" has gained viral popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It has been used in Star Wars' subreddits and as a meme to belittle robots. In a recent TikTok video with over 7.7 million views, a young Black man pretends it's 2044 and his daughter has brought home a robot boyfriend, expressing xenophobia and what some are calling robot racism or robophobia.
Economists predict that the 2025 job market will be challenging, not counting the impact of the pandemic. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that the majority of Americans are wary about the use of AI in the workplace, with 62% expecting a major impact on workers over the next 20 years.
Adam Dorr, the director of Research for Rethinx, stated that in a longer time horizon (15 to 20 years), AI will be able to do virtually anything a human can do for a fraction of the cost. This shift, he believes, will liberate humans from the drudgery of work, creating a world where humans are free from toil. However, there is an urgency to create a new framework for this situation, but it is not a cause for panic or a crisis yet.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., used the term "clanker" in a tweet promoting his latest bill on AI regulation. Linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic explained that the term was adopted because it sounds useful and implies clanking.
As AI continues to permeate our lives, the need to respond to its proliferation is particularly significant when AI is taking human jobs and replacing online creators. The use of the term "clanker" creates an outgroup, an us vs. them mindset, which raises concerns about the potential for increased prejudice and discrimination against AI and those who work with it.
In conclusion, the term "clanker" serves as a reflection of societal anxieties about AI and automation. Its resurgence from the Star Wars universe to everyday conversations underscores the need for thoughtful and informed discussions about the role of AI in our lives and the potential implications for society as a whole.
The term "clanker," originated from the Star Wars universe, has been repurposed as a derogatory nickname for artificial intelligence and robots in the realm of pop culture and technology. Its recent surge in usage on social media platforms suggests a growing unease towards AI's increasing presence in daily life, entertainment, and even job markets.
The use of "clanker" as a slur among online creators and in legislative discussions, like Sen. Ruben Gallego's bill on AI regulation, reflects societal anxieties and potential prejudices towards AI technology and those who work with it, echoing historical patterns of dehumanization.
