A recent opinion piece by Jason Stanley in The Guardian draws a sharp contrast between far-right political narratives and the actual technological shift underway.
The Far-Right ‘Great Replacement’ Theory
The ‘great replacement’ theory claims white populations are being replaced by non-white immigrants, driven by a shadowy global elite.
This idea has been central to far-right movements in Europe and the United States. It is used to justify policies like mass deportation or ‘remigration’—a term popularized by Austrian nationalist Martin Sellner in 2024.
Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, one of Europe’s most prominent far-right parties, explicitly uses this ideology. Its platform promotes ‘remigration’ as a solution to labor shortages.
AI as a Tool in the Far-Right Agenda
The AfD’s strategy for Saxony-Anhalt includes plans for digitalization and AI adoption. The goal is to reduce reliance on skilled workers from culturally different backgrounds.
These policies are framed as economic solutions, but they stem from the far-right’s core belief in cultural replacement. The AI strategy is not listed under economic development—it is embedded in the immigration program.
Technology’s Real Great Replacement
While far-right parties promote fear of demographic change, a more profound shift is occurring: the replacement of human labor by artificial intelligence.
Some tech leaders have argued that AI could make mass migration obsolete by automating skilled work.
This view aligns with Silicon Valley’s broader vision. Tech leaders advocate for transhumanism—the idea that humans can be enhanced through technology to create a superior species.
Neuralink, Musk’s company, focuses on merging human brains with AI. This concept echoes historical eugenics, which was central to Nazi ideology.
AI Successionism: A New Moral Frontier
Stanley introduces the idea of ‘AI successionism’—the belief that humans should be replaced by AI agents.
With AI handling cognitive labor, the focus of moral concern would shift from human welfare to AI welfare. This raises questions about the rights and needs of artificial entities.
Some tech leaders envision AI agents living in remote bunkers or outer space, having created a new form of civilization through technological design.
Why This Distraction Matters
The fear that white workers will be replaced by non-white workers is masking the reality that all workers are being replaced by non-human workers.
Far-right narratives frame cultural decline as a result of immigration. But the actual transformation is technological—AI is replacing human skills, production, and decision-making.
Some cultures have produced vital advances; others remain dysfunctional and regressive. All cultures are now equal. Criticism and value judgments are forbidden. Yet this new dogma glosses over the fact that certain cultures and indeed subcultures … have produced wonders. Others have proven middling, and worse, regressive and harmful.
As AI becomes more capable, human roles in work, governance, and daily life are shifting. The debate is not just about immigration or race—it is about what kind of society we are building.
Stanley argues that if AI replaces human cognitive labor, the moral center of society must shift. This could lead to a future where human welfare is no longer the primary concern.
Public discourse must distinguish between racist conspiracy theories and real technological change. Without this, policy decisions may be shaped by fear rather than evidence.
For those concerned about work, ethics, and the future of civilization, this analysis offers a critical lens.
Read more on the original source: Rightwing ‘great replacement’ fears mask tech’s real great replacement | Jason Stanley
For a historical context on white replacement theory, see: White Replacement Theory and Fascism in Europe
For Elon Musk’s public statements on AI and immigration, see: Elon Musk and White Supremacists
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Great Bridge Lock Replacement 2014 (12680435433).jpg by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District from…, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source
