The surge of generative AI, previously a novelty, has greatly affected the internet, inundating web searches with misleading content, generating unsettling AI pornography, and disrupting digital media’s reliability. A particularly troubling consequence is the use of AI to promote racist conspiracy theories, endangering minorities and immigrants.
Reports indicate anti-immigration protests in the UK are fueled by social media users distributing AI-generated images that falsely depict Arab immigrants overtaking London’s streets. Such content often portrays a vulnerable Caucasian, typically a child, surrounded by a menacing group of minorities, intensifying racial tensions.
AI content celebrating racism previously confined to obscure parts of the internet is also becoming mainstream. This includes images of white men defending their nation or symbols, which exacerbates the spread of extremist views.
The UK has seen an increase in anti-immigrant and Islamophobic hate crimes. In 2024, Islamophobic assaults rose by 73%, with a significant spike in racially-motivated hate crimes in Northern Ireland. Organized racism is also on the rise, exemplified by a recent protest of over 100,000 anti-immigrant demonstrators in London, resulting in injuries.
According to Beatriz Buarque, a researcher at the London School of Economics, AI-generated images don’t just reinforce prejudices but can incite violence by portraying white men as protectors. Her research found that while AI-generated hate content forms a small portion of social media vitriol, it attracts three times more views than typical posts, amplifying its reach.
Social media platforms continue allowing such racist AI content to proliferate, prioritizing engagement over the consequences.
