Anti-AI sentiment turns violent, OpenAI and Anthropic executives face safety threats

Anti-AI sentiment is escalating from online protests to real-world violence. According to The Wall Street Journal, executives at leading AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are concerned about personal safety. Many firms have increased security, with some executives traveling with armed guards or reducing public appearances.

Earlier this year, a 20-year-old anti-AI activist tried to firebomb OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home with a gun and Molotov cocktails, but no one was hurt. At Anthropic, a man followed an employee into the office, threatening to kill an executive, but was stopped by security.

Other anti-AI actions include forcing data center shutdowns, removing surveillance cameras, and holding protests outside AI company headquarters. Polls show Americans view AI more negatively than they do U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, fearing job loss, power concentration, and catastrophic outcomes. Security firm JPT Security notes tech companies now budget for security expenses.