This creator got 'micro-canceled' for promoting Claude. She says AI use is becoming a social taboo.
The internet is getting their digital pitchforks out for influencers who promote AI. We spoke to a creator who was "micro-canceled."
Anthropic and OpenAI have joined forces with influencers for paid promotions. Following these collaborations, comments sections have been inundated with disapproval. Emma Orhun, an Ottawa-based social media influencer, experienced this backlash firsthand after partnering with Anthropic. Orhun expressed her anxiety about potential repercussions, stating she was "scared" by the immediate onslaught of harsh comments.
The initial hour was the most challenging, as she faced accusations and doubts about the validity of her opinions. Orhun, who previously worked as a Shopify design technologist, was labeled as "micro-canceled" for promoting Anthropic. She experienced further criticism when discussing this experience on a podcast. Orhun is not alone in facing this scrutiny; other influencers who engage in AI-related promotional content have also faced negative responses.
OpenAI once hosted a retreat for influencers, which received backlash for being "dystopian" and "morally bankrupt." Orhun's post about her Anthropic collaboration received similar criticism, with some followers expressing concerns about AI's impact on the environment and threatening to unfollow her. Despite the backlash, Orhun remains committed to using AI tools like Claude for technical tasks but refuses to use AI for artistic purposes.
She believes the uneven scrutiny faced by women online often expects them to serve as moral compasses, whereas men can use AI without facing the same level of criticism.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
