Emerging technology, specifically AI, may be facing a growing wave of criticism or discontent, as suggested by recent observations.
In the digital age, internet slang evolves at an unprecedented pace. One such term that has recently gained traction is "Clanker," a pejorative term for robots and AI.
Originating from the Star Wars universe, where it was used by clone troopers to insult battle droids, Clanker has taken on a new life in 2025, becoming an internet insult targeting robotic and AI technologies. The term surged in popularity amid growing frustrations with poorly functioning automated customer support and anxieties about AI replacing human jobs.
Clanker has become a viral meme on social media, representing people's annoyance at AI's increasing role, particularly in service industries. A viral meme from July 2025 showed a man frustrated with a customer support "clanker," resonating widely and accumulating millions of views. This reflects broader social tensions regarding automated technology, with many preferring human agents and disliking "robotic incompetence."
Reactions to the term "clanker" are mixed. Linguists and commentators note that using a slur typically reserved for humans to insult machines paradoxically recognizes AI's rising social prominence while simultaneously expressing frustration. Some view it as a humorous, lighthearted way to voice anxieties about automation and job loss, while others criticize it as tasteless or problematic, pointing out that such slurs evoke historical patterns of dehumanization and may be offensive or trivialize serious technological and social issues.
Other similar derogatory terms like "tin skin," "toaster," and "slop" have also been used, indicating a persistent internet trend of creating pejoratives for AI and robots out of growing unease with technology.
The term is not limited to the online sphere. Food delivery bots are an increasingly common sight on sidewalks, and the steady expansion of Waymo's driverless cars across U.S. cities has resulted in some human-inflicted bumps and bruises for the vehicles. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., used the term "Clanker" to tout a new piece of legislation, stating that people don't have to talk to a "clanker" if they don't want to.
However, the use of "clanker" is not without controversy. On platforms like TikTok, the term is being used to harass robots in stores and on sidewalks. This has sparked debates about the appropriateness of such language and its potential impact on the growing integration of AI and robots in our daily lives.
As search interest for the term "Clanker" spikes and people continue to encounter AI and robots more frequently, the debate surrounding this term and its implications for our relationship with technology is likely to continue. Whether it's seen as a harmless joke or a troubling reflection of societal anxieties, one thing is clear: Clanker is a term that captures the ambivalence and cultural tensions surrounding AI.
Artificial-intelligence technologies, particularly in the service industry, are facing increased censure due to widespread user frustrations, exemplified by the viral use of "Clanker" as an internet insult. This term, originally coined in the Star Wars universe, has been adapted to express dissatisfaction with automated customer support and job displacement concerns.
The usage of derogatory terms like "Clanker," "tin skin," "toaster," and "slop" reveals an emerging internet trend of creating pejoratives for AI and robots, reflecting growing unease with technology and its integration into daily life.
