The Public Ain’t Playing: Can AI Survive Cancel Culture?

Scrolling through TikTok—the platform that perfected video while others are still trying to catch up—I stumbled upon a dilemma that got me thinking... When AI really messes up, who’s getting the side-eye? Who’s getting dragged? Canceled?

If you’re not on TikTok, you might not know Mama Tot. But for those who are, you’ve likely followed her since the early days of the pandemic. She’s that Southern mom who offers comfort, support, and a healthy dose of love with her trademark Southern charm. With over 12 million followers, Mama Tot has become a TikTok staple. Yet, in a strange twist of fate, the very platform that helped build her up is now the stage where she's facing cancellation.

Recently, Mama Tot expressed frustration over FEMA, asking hurricane survivors to log onto their phones and provide their IDs so they could apply for assistance. She said it out loud: "Aren’t you mad? Because I am! Why aren’t the rest of you upset?" She was frustrated—how do you ask someone whose house just washed away to log onto a phone they might not even have? All they have left is their will to survive. She was angry, and she let it be known. But instead of empathy, the internet swiftly turned on her.

Accusations flew, claiming she had MAGA ties because she dared criticize FEMA. The assumption that she was spreading misinformation in a climate where the truth feels more like a moving target sparked outrage. And despite being a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, transgender advocacy, and even abortion rights, she suddenly found herself under fire from both sides. In a cruel twist, the internet forgot everything she’s stood for.

Right as I was watching her being canceled in real time, I thought to myself: Will they be able to do the same with AI?

Canceling a machine might seem strange, but it opens up a deeper philosophical debate. While humans face consequences for their actions, can an algorithm—developed without consciousness or intent—honestly be held responsible? Or should the focus shift to those who create, train, and deploy these systems, much like how Mama Tot is being held accountable not for her actions but for how her words were interpreted in a highly charged climate by people who may never give as much as she has?

When AI Slips Up: Who Gets the Side-Eye?

The truth is AI is only as good as the data it’s fed and the creators behind it. Algorithms don’t have intent; they don’t “choose” to be biased. But when those biases leak into decision-making processes that affect real lives, cancel culture doesn’t care whether it was intentional or not. Like Mama Tot, AI can become a target of public scorn when it falls short of society’s expectations.

Cancel culture doesn’t just target individuals; it can bring entire companies to their knees. A flawed AI system doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s tied to the brand and reputation of the organization that created it. And when an algorithm goes wrong, the fallout can be immense.

Take, for example, the controversy surrounding facial recognition software law enforcement uses. Several AI-driven tools have been proven to misidentify people of color, leading to wrongful arrests. The public outcry didn’t just focus on the technology; it led to boycotts, legal battles, and policy changes. In some cases, companies have had to scrap the technology altogether.

The Public Ain’t Playing...

As AI systems become more integrated into our daily lives, the question of who is accountable for their actions becomes crucial. Public pressure can effectively drive change, pushing companies to develop fair, transparent, and ethical AI. The fear of cancellation can force organizations to be more careful in deploying AI systems, much like public figures are more mindful of their words today than ever.

Cancel culture may become a critical factor in how AI is developed, as the rising tide of public scrutiny mirrors how cancel culture operates.

The pressure to “get it right” is growing, and if AI systems don’t, they and the companies behind them may find themselves in the same position as Mama Tot: canceled.

Don't say I didn't warn you....

Debs