The contentious politics of AI
We are a network of academics, policy researchers, and activists interested in ways that AI is contested.
Our network offers a space for those who want to research, study, and make visible (and possible) ways that AI is, and can be, challenged. It is open to all – academics, policy researchers, and activists interested in ways that AI is contested – see details below on how to sign up.
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About US
At our founding conference in July 2025 we launched the network in order
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Suggested Readings
Some initial readings that we think are useful on why and how we might contest AI (we’ll keep this updated).
Bonini, T., & Treré, E. (2024). Algorithms of resistance: The everyday fight against platform power. Mit Press.
Hao, K. (2025). Empire of AI: Inside the reckless race for total domination. Random House.
McQuillan, D. (2022). Resisting AI: An anti-fascist approach to artificial intelligence. Policy Press.
Mansouri, M. I., & Bailey, D. J. (2025). How to be ‘anti-AI’ in the 21st century: overcoming the inevitability narrative. Global Political Economy, 1-10.
Merchant, B. (2023). Blood in the machine: The origins of the rebellion against big tech. Hachette UK.
Moore, P. V., Ernst, E., Donoghue, R., and Bloom, P. (2025). Artificial Intelligence Policy Observatory for the World of Work (AIPOWW) Symposium Editorial. Global Political Economy 4, 2, 195-200
Affiliated critical AI networks
We are also working together with the following critical AI networks:
- Critical Studies in AI and Digitalisation Cluster (CSAID), University of Essex
- The Critical AI Centre (CrAIC), University of Exeter