A growing online movement of 'AI vegans' is choosing to abstain from generative artificial intelligence, citing ethical and environmental concerns. The term draws parallels with dietary vegans, as these individuals refuse to use AI tools due to beliefs about sustainability and content theft.
The anti-AI community has over 43,000 members on Reddit, placing it in the site's top 3% of subreddits. On TikTok, creators denouncing AI have amassed millions of views. Some users have even dropped university classes after being required to use the technology.
Environmental concerns are a key driver. One estimate suggests AI-related infrastructure could soon consume six times the water usage of Denmark, or half that of the UK's 69 million population. Morally, opponents argue generative AI 'steals' content by scraping creators' work without consent to train models.
Friction is heightened as business and political leaders urge adoption. Amazon's boss told staff to embrace AI as the workforce shrinks, while UK technology secretary Peter Kyle warned businesses risk being 'left behind'. A 2024 IPPR report projected up to 8 million job losses in a 'jobs apocalypse'.
AI vegans are taking action. A survey by Writer and Workplace Intelligence found nearly a third of staff have engaged in AI sabotage, including entering sensitive data, lowering work quality, or tampering with performance data. Younger workers are more resistant, with 41% of Millennials and Gen Z undermining AI tools versus 23% of older employees.
The slur 'clanker', borrowed from Star Wars, is increasingly used to denigrate AI for generating 'slop' and lacking humanity. The movement reflects a broader backlash against the rapid integration of generative AI into daily life and work.
