Definition
A derogatory slang term for a robot, AI system, or automated technology, used jokingly or hostilely to express disdain for machines or their perceived replacement of human work.
Distinguish it from nearby terms
Clanker is a social and pejorative label, not a technical category. It may target a physical robot, chatbot, automated customer-service system, or AI technology generally. Its use communicates attitude toward the system but says little about the system's actual architecture or capabilities.
Check your understanding
If someone calls a chatbot a clanker, infer their attitude, not the system design. Identify the technology and the specific objection separately.