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Rainer Mühlhoff will present his new book “KI und der neue Faschismus“ (AI and the New Fascism, 2025). He is a philosopher, mathematician, and professor of the ethics of artificial intelligence at the University of Osnabrück. His presentation is part of the exhibition “Computer Says No by“ !Mediengruppe Bitnik in the nave of Kunsthalle Osnabrück.
What is fascism?
Fascism is an extreme political system. A single leader or party makes all the decisions. There is no freedom of expression, and opponents are silenced or punished. Violence is used to stay in power, and certain groups of people are excluded altogether.
In the US, the government has changed a lot since Donald Trump’s second term in office. Laws meant to control the government are increasingly being ignored. In many cases, the government uses its power in a harsh and unjust way. New rules are being made. And the leaders of big tech companies are part of this change. [“Tech” is short for “technology.” These companies often work with computers, computer programs, or the internet.] They are at the forefront because they provide AI technologies and also determine their worldview.
Rainer Mühlhoff’s new book looks at the dangerous connection between tech companies and right-wing politics. It asks: What role does AI play in this development? And how can we recognize early on when these developments threaten democracy—or even become fascist? These are relevant questions for both Europe and the US.
After a short introduction, Rainer Mühlhoff will talk with the artists of !Mediengruppe Bitnik about AI, power, and resistance in the digital age.
Rainer Mühlhoff, philosopher and mathematician, is full professor of Ethics of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Osnabrück. They research ethics, data protection and critical social theory in the digital society. In their interdisciplinary work, Rainer brings together philosophy, media studies and computer science to investigate the interplay of technology, power and social change.
