The Algorithmic Other: Digital Dehumanisation, Psychological Harm, and the Urgent Need to Counter Resurgent Hate

This paper examines the phenomenon of ‘algorithmic othering’, the processes through which digital technologies actively participate in constructing and amplifying ‘the Other’. Using antisemitism as a primary case study whilst drawing comparative insights from research on Islamophobia and other forms of digital discrimination, we analyse how ancient prejudices are technologically repackaged and disseminated in contemporary digital ecosystems. The study integrates classical theories of alterity with emerging frameworks on digital propaganda and social deviance to develop a novel theoretical model of algorithmic othering. Through comparative analysis of different manifestations of digital hate, we identify common patterns in how algorithmic systems amplify prejudice while recognising the unique historical and social contexts of specific forms of discrimination. The paper examines the profound psychological toll of persistent exposure to algorithmic othering, drawing on research regarding bullying, exclusion, and their effects on self-worth. We argue that addressing algorithmic othering constitutes an urgent societal imperative requiring multidisciplinary solutions spanning technological design, policy-making, education, and community support. The paper concludes by proposing concrete pathways towards fostering digital resilience and cultivating a more equitable digital future, emphasising the need for immediate action at educational and political levels.