Digital Totalitarianism: The Crisis of Computational Power &

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Every day new concerns arise regarding the impact ofartificial intelligence on human life. However, its effects uponhuman cognition, and the resultant socio-politicalimplications, remain under-theorised. My PhD intervenes inthis situation through a critical examination of the debate ondigital totalitarianism in the context of an interdisciplinaryengagement with computational power in relation tomechanical forms of cognition. I aim to use the insights ofthe Frankfurt School's critique of instrumental reason, withthe intention of intervening in current conversations aroundartificial intelligence, machine learning and other forms ofnon-conscious cognition. Modernity has been guided by anormative compass informed by emancipation andautonomy for human beings, yet this is threatened byautomated styles of thought which replace the humancapacity for critical reason. Drawing on media studies, digital8 / 14media and the digital humanities, I aim to show how thedigital incorporates a tendency towards a new form oftotalitarianism which must be contested to prevent aregressive turn in politics and culture.