‘Clanker’ Slur Highlights Public Anxiety Over AI
“Clanker,” a slur rooted in Star Wars fandom, is trending as a put-down for robots and AI chatbots blamed for hallucinations and lazy output. Critics warn its casual use normalises dehumanising language and echoes historic bigotry; linguists say it reveals public anxiety about intrusive, job‑threatening tech. The piece urges caution, noting the term says more about people’s fears than about machines.