clanker

What does clanker mean?

Clanker is a derogatory term for robots and AI technology.

Examples of clanker

When I'm applying for Jobs and I have to talk with a clanker first before I can start on the application
— X (formerly Twitter), 30 July 2025

Calling AI models "clankers" doesn't demonise them, it makes me want to take them home and put blankets on them and hoard them with the rest of my useless trash.
— bsky.app, 25 Aug. 2025

Rust bucket nail eating oil drinking CLANKER
— Minecraft discord channel, 27 Aug. 2025

We may already have the word of the year, if not the decade: clanker. Originating from the Star Wars universe, it has become a catch-all term used to refer to robots and AI. Any technology can be referred to as a clanker.
— Catherine Prasifka, Irish Independent, 14 Aug. 2025

Where does clanker come from?

As noted in the Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction, clanker has been in regular use since 1958 in science fiction writing, with the meaning of "robot." It achieved more mainstream attention after its appearance in the Star Wars franchise (first in a 2005 video game (Republic Commando), then in 2008 in an animated series (The Clone Wars)).

The widespread use in 2025 may have been influenced through its use by players of Helldivers 2 (a futuristic video game released in 2024) as an insult for a class of robots called Automatons.

Im sorry this stupid thing called work outside of the cyberspace is kicking my arse and i have no time/energy to kill these clankers im sorry go fourth without me. Kill some extra bots for me!
— reddit (r/Helldivers), 13 May 2024

How is clanker used?

Clanker is often used quite broadly, with a meaning that encompasses everything from artificial intelligence as a whole, to specific robots or technological systems, to imaginary forms of technology in video games.