The world struggles against elite political monsters in attempts to reclaim its lost humanity, its languages, its cultural identities stolen through colonialism’s homogenized conquests. If that were not enough, in the digital age of which we currently past the time, elites are yoking potential and deliberately manipulating thoughts and behaviors through the use of advance technology ushering in the age of techno-neocolonialism.
Modern society increasingly requires us to conform and rely on technology and capitalism for essentials like food, a roof over our heads, communications, banking, government access, and social connection, etc mostly mediated by algorithms and AI. These technologies shape and restrict human behavior and are used by corporations, elites and government agencies to brainwash, manipulate, and often times suppress and censor opposing views and and opinions thus deepening inequalities, making independence from these structures nearly impossible. Algorithmic Control and Ai are tech powers that extend and magnify colonial patterns.
Political theorist Kwame Nkrumah states that neocolonialism, often described as –colonialism on steroids– is itself considered the worst form of imperialism. In this system, a nation may be politically independent, but its economy, politics, and culture are controlled by external powers through indirect means like debt, foreign investment, and media influence.
Nkrumah argued that neocolonialism is worse than traditional colonialism because it allows exploitation without responsibility: powerful nations extract resources and dominate markets while avoiding the direct accountability that came with formal colonial rule. This creates economic dependency, undermines sovereignty, and perpetuates global inequality under the guise of cooperation or development.
So, while “colonialism on steroids” captures the intensified, modern form of domination, Nkrumah’s analysis suggests there is no system worse than neocolonialism itself—it is the peak of imperialist exploitation in the contemporary world.
Add technology into the mix you get techno-neocolonialism:
- Data Extraction: Personal and communal data from marginalized regions is harvested and used for profit, mirroring colonial resource extraction. This is termed data colonialism, where data becomes a commodity taken from the periphery to enrich the center.
- Control of Infrastructure: Digital ecosystems in many developing nations are dominated by foreign platforms (e.g., Google, Facebook), giving these companies influence over communication, economies, and governance—similar to colonial control of land and institutions.
- Imposition of Foreign Values: AI systems trained on Western data embed cultural biases, marginalizing local knowledge and worldviews. This algorithmic imperialism enforces a single, often Eurocentric, reality.
- Techno-Solutionism: Framing AI as a “savior” for global problems justifies intervention under the guise of innovation, echoing colonial “civilizing missions.” This undermines local innovation and creates dependency.
- Labor Exploitation: AI development often relies on low-paid workers in the Global South to label data, while benefits accrue to Northern corporations—reminiscent of colonial labor exploitation.
- Drones, surveillance systems, and robotic enforcers like robo-dogs serve as the enforcement arm of techno-neocolonialism, extending control through automated, militarized means. These technologies amplify state and corporate power, often deployed in marginalized or Global South communities under the guise of security or progress, mirroring colonial tactics of domination, displacement, and resource extraction. By automating surveillance and repression, they deepen systemic inequality and entrench foreign or elite control, making oppression more efficient and less accountable.
In essence, while algorithmic control and AI are tools, their design, ownership, and deployment often reflect and reinforce colonial power structures, turning technology into a new frontier of domination.
Techno-Neocolonialism affects all of us in America much the same way. Data colonialism extracts digital “raw material” (user behavior, location, identity, etc.) to train AI, target ads, and generate wealth for elites, politicians, corporations, online Influencers while the people who produce the data (users/consumers) see little benefit.
We were coerced, now forced into accepting compulsory digital tagging in order to survive. This means that our metadata, browsing history, location data, online activities, personal data, financial data, social media activities, employment data, any and all digital footprints we leave behind with every key stroke or Siri command is being used to build detailed profiles for purposes such as targeted advertising, dissemination of propaganda, disinformation, voter manipulation, surveillance, social control from birth to death; our personal data is accessible to governments, corporations and other entities often without explicit consent or with forced consent in order to apply for employment, obtain credit, open a bank account, buy a car, mortgage, social media…).
Dieu et mon droit
We have been imprinted and indoctrinated to believe that the privileged class is granted the right to rule the masses through a combination of inherited wealth, elite education, religious and social conditioning that reinforces their sense of superiority and entitlement. This is sustained through political, faith and societal systems that favor privilege over merit creating a self-perpetuating cycle where access to power is determined more by background and access to financial resources than ability.
As an example, “Dieu et mon droit” is French for “God and my right” – This phrase signifies that the monarch rules by divine right meaning their authority is granted by God.
It has been used since the 12th century, first adopted as a battle cry by Richard the Lionheart, and later became the official royal motto of England.
Sacred texts are sometimes cited to legitimize war, conquest, or punishment, even when broader teachings emphasize peace, justice, and compassion. Extremist ideologies promote absolute truth claims, dehumanize opponents, and encourage apocalyptic thinking which is what scholar Charles Kimball describes as the “five warning signs” of religion turning destructive.
- absolute truth claims
- blind obedience
- establishing the “ideal time” linked to apocalyptic beliefs
- the end justifies the means
- declaring holy war
Religion offers a sense of divine purpose for seekers and the faithful. Yet too often that purpose is distorted by monsters who exploit faith for power, wealth, and control, twisting sacred teachings to manipulate the faithful while concealing their own lies, corruption and bloodlust.
Philosophy suggests something different-higher purpose isn’t handed down but created and we forge it through our relationships, our choices, and our actions, whether noble, flawed, or somewhere in between.
Science may one day explain how life began, but the why will remain an enigma for the foreseeable future.
So while science maps the mechanics of existence, it’s up to us to give life meaning, and it begins with keeping the monsters at bay.
