Digital Disobedience: Resisting AI in Military Tech
A civil disobedience campaign against the proliferation of AI in the military and defense sector.
Updated July 6, 2023
CAMPAIGN IDEA
A yearlong campaign of digital and physical civil disobedience to draw public attention to the risks of unbounded AI technology in military and defense systems.
CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION
Digital Disobedience: Resisting AI in Military Tech is a civil disobedience campaign designed to spark a dialog about the alarming rates of AI integration into military technology. We aim to expose the dangers and ethical quandaries posed by these developments and emphasize the need for public scrutiny and regulatory measures.
Our campaign will engage the public and military personnel - the direct users and overseers of AI military technology. We will harness both online and offline tactics, blending hacking tactics, informational webinars, engaging public installations, and peaceful on-site protests at military complexes and defense contractor headquarters.
THEORY FOR WHY THIS CAMPAIGN WILL CREATE CHANGE
We believe that our diverse methods of protest will draw a wide range of audiences and engage them in the conversation about AI in military technology. The combination of digital and physical tactics allows for more substantial coverage and potential reach.
We also assume that by targeting the military and defense sectors directly, the issue will be taken more seriously by those who have the power to influence policy. The aim is to influence public opinion to the extent that it becomes a matter of national debate, leading to policy change.
PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING CAMPAIGN TO MEDIA
We are launching the Digital Disobedience: Resisting AI in Military Tech campaign. This campaign aims to bring awareness to the public about the unchecked growth of AI technology in the military and defense sectors. The campaign will use various forms of civil disobedience, both digital and physical means, to expose these practices and highlight the ethical dilemmas at play.
We believe that a comprehensive civil response is required to address the critical issue of AI in our military systems. The rapid development and deployment of AI in military technology, without proper checks and balances, present imminent dangers to both national security and international relations.
Moreover, the moral and ethical questions surrounding autonomous weapons and surveillance systems demand public discourse and legislative action. Our campaign encourages the public, especially military personnel and defense contractors, to join us in this necessary debate.
Through a combination of digital protest methods, peaceful physical protests, and a wealth of informational resources, we hope to educate the public about the realities of AI militarization. We aim to spark a broad public dialogue about the implications of AI in the defense sector and incite action at both the public and policy-making levels.
FLASH FICTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FOUNDER DESCRIBING THE CAMPAIGN’S ORIGIN
It began with a leaked defense document, detailing a new AI weapon system - autonomous, unyielding, and chillingly efficient. I was alarmed. Could we be crossing a line, where warfare was no longer in human hands, but controlled by algorithms?
With this question in mind, I began to delve deeper into the world of AI and its integration into military technology. The more I learned, the more disturbed I became. The scale of AI adoption and the lack of debate around it were deeply troubling. It was clear that this was an issue that needed to be brought into the light.
I started reaching out to like-minded individuals - technology experts, military veterans, ethical thinkers. The response was overwhelming. There was a widespread unease about the direction we were taking. This shared concern became the foundation of our campaign - a collective call to action to resist unchecked AI militarization.
As we plan our first demonstrations and develop our digital toolkit for protest, there’s a sense of urgency, but also of hope. We believe in the power of informed, active citizens to shape the future of our society. And we know that standing up to this alarming trend is not merely a choice - it’s a necessity.
HOW WILL OPPONENTS TO THIS CAMPAIGN TRY TO STOP IT
Critics and opponents could launch smear campaigns to discredit our cause, accusing us of endangering national security or being anti-technology. They may also try to silence the campaign through legal prosecution of protestors or digital attacks on our resources.
HOW SHOULD ACTIVISTS RESPOND TO OPPONENT’S ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT
Activists must remain steadfast in their peaceful and lawful approach to protest. It is essential to maintain transparency, openness, and respect for opposing viewpoints. We should respond to criticism with facts, ensuring our communication emphasizes the ethical concerns and risks of AI in military technology.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN
- Assemble a core team of passionate and knowledgeable individuals to lead the campaign.
- Design and develop a website to serve as the hub for campaign activities.
- Plan for physical protests and inform police and local authorities in advance.
- Develop a digital protest toolkit, including resources for secure communication, digital training materials, and ethical hacking guides.
- Launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the planned activities.
- Create a press release and distribute it widely to the media.
- Begin the campaign with a significant event to draw attention to the issue, such as a peaceful protest or a webinar featuring prominent speakers.