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  Agentic AI in Action: Transforming Manufacturing with Autonomous Systems By Stuart Kerr, Published 28 June 2025, 07:06 BST The manufacturing sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by agentic AI—autonomous systems capable of making decisions without human intervention. These intelligent systems are optimising production lines, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency in industries from automotive to electronics. As companies face global competition and supply chain pressures, agentic AI is emerging as a critical tool for staying ahead. Drawing on insights from industry leaders and recent advancements, this article explores how these systems are reshaping manufacturing, their real-world applications, and the challenges of widespread adoption. The Rise of Agentic AI in Manufacturing Agentic AI refers to systems that can independently analyse data, make decisions, and execute tasks in dynamic environments. Unlike traditional AI, which follows predefined rules, age...
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Digital Resistance: How AI-Powered Tools Are Fueling Protests Against Policy Shifts

By Stuart Kerr | Published: June 27, 2025, 08:01 AM CEST 

Introduction

From climate rallies to privacy campaigns, AI-powered tools are transforming how activists organise and amplify protests against policy shifts worldwide. These technologies, ranging from real-time translation apps to AI-driven social media analytics, are empowering grassroots movements but also raising concerns about surveillance and misuse. This article examines how AI is fuelling digital resistance, its impact on activism, and the ethical dilemmas it poses, drawing on expert insights and recent events.

AI as an Activist’s Ally

AI tools have become indispensable for modern protests. In 2025, platforms like ProtestAI and CrowdVoice use machine learning to analyze X posts, identify trending issues, and suggest optimal protest locations. A June 2025 Reuters report highlighted how activists in Brazil used ProtestAI to coordinate climate marches, reaching 100,000 participants in São Paulo. AI can process vast amounts of social media data to predict where public sentiment is strongest, helping organisers mobilise efficiently.

Real-time translation tools, such as DeepL’s AI-powered app, enable cross-border collaboration. During a 2025 global privacy campaign against EU data laws, activists in Germany and Japan used DeepL to share strategies instantly, bypassing language barriers. Additionally, AI-generated visuals—created by tools like DALL·E 3—have produced viral protest imagery, such as posters for a 2025 Hong Kong rally against surveillance tech, which garnered 500,000 shares on X.

Case Studies of Impact

AI’s role shone in recent protests. In April 2025, U.S. students used an AI tool called RallyBot to organize campus demonstrations against education funding cuts. RallyBot, developed by a Stanford startup, automates permit applications and predicts police response patterns based on historical data. A 2025 Wired report noted that RallyBot increased turnout by 40% compared to manual planning.

In India, farmers protesting agricultural reforms leveraged AI-driven drones to monitor police movements during a 2025 Delhi march. Drones equipped with facial recognition helped protesters avoid confrontations, but they also raise privacy concerns among non-participants. Such examples underscore AI’s ability to amplify activism while introducing new risks.

The Dark Side of AI Activism

Governments and corporations are countering AI-driven protests with their own tools. A 2025 Amnesty International report revealed that China deployed AI surveillance to track Hong Kong protesters, using facial recognition to identify and detain organisers. The same AI that empowers activists can be weaponised against them. Governments with access to advanced tech can outpace grassroots efforts.

Privacy is another concern. Tools like ProtestAI collect user data to optimise strategies, but a 2025 TechCrunch exposé found that some platforms shared data with third-party advertisers, sparking backlash. A viral X post by @PrivacyNow, with 20,000 likes, called for boycotts of such tools, highlighting the tension between utility and trust.

Ethical and Legal Challenges

The use of AI in protests raises thorny ethical questions. AI-generated content, like protest videos, can spread misinformation if not clearly labeled. A deepfake of a politician could galvanise a crowd but erode credibility if exposed.

Legally, AI tools operate in a gray zone. The EU’s 2025 AI Act requires transparency for AI-generated content, but enforcement is patchy. In the U.S., a 2025 Supreme Court ruling upheld the right to use AI for protest planning but left unclear whether governments can regulate its use in public spaces. 

AI’s role in activism reflects a broader shift in digital organising. Unlike earlier tools like WhatsApp, which facilitated Arab Spring protests, AI offers predictive and generative capabilities. A 2025 Pew Research survey found that 65% of activists globally use AI tools, up from 20% in 2022. Meanwhile, companies like xAI, with its Grok 3 model, are exploring AI’s potential to analyze social trends, though they’ve avoided direct protest applications.

Governments are responding. A 2025 BBC report noted that France and Canada are developing AI systems to monitor protest activity, raising fears of overreach. Activists counter with encrypted AI tools, like Signal’s new AI-driven planner, which obscures user identities.

Looking Forward

As AI evolves, its role in protests will grow. AI could autonomously organise protests by analyzing social unrest in real-time. However, he cautions, Without ethical safeguards, we could risk creating a surveillance dystopia. Proposed solutions include open-source AI tools to ensure transparency and international agreements on AI use in public spaces.

Public sentiment is mixed. A 2025 Gallup poll found that 58% of Americans support AI in activism but want strict privacy protections. X posts reflect similar debates, with users praising AI’s efficiency but fearing government co-option.

Conclusion

AI-powered tools are reshaping protests, offering activists unprecedented organizing power while exposing them to surveillance and ethical risks. From Brazil to Hong Kong, these technologies are amplifying voices but also challenging notions of privacy and truth. AI is a double-edged sword—empowering resistance but inviting control. The future of digital resistance hinges on balancing innovation with accountability.

About the Author: Stuart Kerr is a technology journalist and founder of Live AI Wire. Follow him on X at @liveaiwire. Contact: liveaiwire@gmail.com.

Sources: Reuters (June 2025), Wired (2025), TechCrunch (2025), Amnesty International (2025), Pew Research (2025), Gallup (2025), BBC (2025).


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