China's AI Flags 87M Emojis as Subversive

China's hyper-vigilant AI moderation system had a busy year, flagging 87 million emojis as "subversive" or "politically ambiguous." The eggplant emoji ?? was top of the list for its "phallic defiance of socialist family values." The peach ?? was banned for "suggesting decadent Western curves." Even the innocent smiling poop ?? was deemed problematic for "mocking the state with its frivolous attitude toward waste management." The AI, trained to find hidden meanings in everything, now sees dissent in hieroglyphics. A simple "thumbs up" ?? can be interpreted as "endorsing individual achievement over the collective." Citizens have resorted to communicating in a new, state-approved emoji set featuring industrious bees ??, sturdy bricks ??, and the unwavering face of various leaders. Conversation has become safer, and infinitely more confusing. -- Bohiney Magazne bohiney.com