AI Watch: The Guerrilla Awakening
A guerrilla campaign to spotlight the unchecked advancements in artificial intelligence and their implications for local governments.
Updated July 6, 2023
[CAMPAIGN IDEA]
A tech-savvy, left-leaning guerrilla campaign that uses art, installations, and targeted disruptions to raise awareness about the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence, and its implications for local governments and societies at large.
[CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION:]
The campaign, “AI Watch: The Guerrilla Awakening,” is a city-based protest movement that utilizes striking visual installations and symbolic disruptions in local governments. The overall aim is to stir conversations about how unchecked AI advancements infringe upon local governance and encroach on individual rights.
By cleverly placing AI-themed installations around city landmarks and government institutions, the campaign intends to raise awareness and provoke broad public discussions. The campaign will leverage the unsettling aesthetics of technology and AI symbolism to capture public imagination, push boundaries, and disrupt the status quo.
[THEORY FOR WHY THIS CAMPAIGN WILL CREATE CHANGE:]
Modern society is deeply entwined with digital technology, making the topic relatable and relevant to many. By visually representation of AI’s uncontrolled growth, “AI Watch” aims to create a common understanding of AI-related issues, enabling citizens to engage in informed conversations about the role of AI in our society and its potential dangers.
Moreover, by targeting local governments with these actions, the campaign can stir institutional change at the grassroots level. Local authorities are more likely to respond to citizens’ concerns, laying the groundwork for changes in policy linked to AI usage and regulation.
[PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING CAMPAIGN TO MEDIA:]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AI Watch: The Guerrilla Awakening
In the heart of our cities, a new campaign, “AI Watch: The Guerrilla Awakening,” is set to make waves, raising awareness about the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence and its implications for local governments.
This innovative campaign blends art with activism, utilizing striking visual installations and symbolic disruptions to provoke conversations and push for policy change regarding AI use. Designed and executed by a collective of left-leaning activists, the campaign seeks to connect the public to the evolving issue of artificial intelligence in everyday life.
Strategically placed at city landmarks and governmental institutions, these installations will serve as motifs of revolution, reminding people and policy makers of the intrusive nature of unregulated AI. By instigating public discourse, “AI Watch” aims to instigate changes in how we perceive and regulate AI.
We invite everyone, from curious onlookers to local government officials, to interact with our installations, question their meanings, and ponder the role of AI in our society. By bringing this issue into the public sphere, we hope to create a grassroots movement that can influence policy changes and steer our digital future toward a more regulated and humane direction.
[FLASH FICTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FOUNDER DESCRIBING THE CAMPAIGN’S ORIGIN:]
For years, I had been observing the rampant growth of artificial intelligence. It seemed to me like a silent wave, sweeping across societies, infiltrating daily lives and reshaping governments, with little public awareness or debate. I realized that, as an activist and a tech insider, I had a role to play. This realization led me to form “AI Watch: The Guerrilla Awakening”.
Our first installation was born from a blend of fear, frustration, and hope. An abandoned alleyway transformed into an AI dystopia overnight - a stark, futuristic representation that caught everyone’s attention. This installation was more than a piece of art; it was an urgent call to action.
As more installations popped up around the city, our small team of activists expanded into a thriving collective. We were not alone in our concern for AI; citizens, local leaders, and even the occasional tech guru joined us in our fight for increased transparency and regulation.
Our guerrilla tactics were born out of necessity. Traditional protests wouldn’t do - we couldn’t compete with the noise. So we chose to speak in a language that everyone could understand - the language of art. With every installation, we told a story, posed a question, and left a mark.
We hoped to inspire a revolution of thought, a collective awakening. The battle was just beginning, but the very fact that we were now having these conversations – that was a victory in itself.
[HOW WILL OPPONENTS TO THIS CAMPAIGN TRY TO STOP IT:]
Opponents will likely attempt to dismiss the campaign as alarmist or anti-technology. They may also leverage law enforcement to dismantle installations and discourage the campaign’s activities under the guise of public safety or nuisance laws.
[HOW SHOULD ACTIVISTS RESPOND TO OPPONENT’S ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT:]
Activists should reinforce the campaign’s purpose: not to demonize technology, but to promote transparent discussions and responsible policies around AI. They should use any opposition to fuel constructive dialogues and, when installations are dismantled, see each as an opportunity to create a new, even more engaging display.
[WHAT ARE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN:]
- Assemble a Team: Gather a group of passionate activists with diverse skills, including art creation, logistics, media relations, and tech knowledge.
- Plan the Art Installations: Design installations that are visually striking, relate to the AI theme, and can be created within the budget.
- Location Scouting: Identify high-visibility locations around the city, particularly near government offices or city landmarks.
- Installation: Execute the setup and removal of installations swiftly and covertly to avoid legal implications.
- Public Engagement: Launch social media platforms and a website to engage with the public, share the locations of new installations, and facilitate discussions about AI.
- Media Outreach: Regularly send press releases and campaign updates to local and national media to keep the campaign in the public eye.