Decolonize Planetary Scale Computation. Artificial Intelligence and Planetarity in the Anthropocene

Abstract

This article proposes to analyze some of the main theoretical discussions about the “planetary-scale computation” that have multiplied in the field of humanities and social sciences during the last decade. One of the main theses at stake in these debates is the consideration of artificial intelligence as an extractive industry that operates globally, mainly exploiting natural resources, big data, and workforce. After reviewing the main elements and perspectives on this thesis, we establish different links between large-scale computing and the configuration of a new colonial regime that crosses the political, economic and cultural dynamics of contemporary societies. Faced with this, we propose that a theoretical counterpoint to computational colonialism can be found in the “planetary turn” that the humanities and social sciences have experienced. Embracing “planetarity” thinking will then allow us to critically address the role of large-scale computation in the midst of the Anthropocene crisis. Finally, the review of these debates will allow us to propose some keys to think about the decolonization of planetary-scale computation as a fundamental practice to face the ongoing climate crisis.