From apocalyptic dystopia to banal reality: A new materialist account of power-seeking, AI and chatbots
Thesis Eleven: Critical Theory and Historical Sociology
Published online on June 17, 2026
Abstract
Thesis Eleven, Ahead of Print.
In this article we arrest the concept of ‘power-seeking’ away from apocalyptic discourses about AI's future risks to humanity. Following Latour, we suggest that while non-human actors may ‘authorize, allow, afford, encourage…[etc.]’, they can alsoseek ...
In this article we arrest the concept of ‘power-seeking’ away from apocalyptic discourses about AI's future risks to humanity. Following Latour, we suggest that while non-human actors may ‘authorize, allow, afford, encourage…[etc.]’, they can alsoseek ...