OpenAI Locks Down San Francisco Offices Following Alleged Threat From Former Anti-AI Activist

Security Lockdown at OpenAI Headquarters

OpenAI implemented emergency security measures at its San Francisco offices on Friday afternoon after receiving what the company characterized as credible threats from an individual previously associated with the anti-AI activist group Stop AI. Internal communications obtained by WIRED revealed that employees were instructed to remain inside the Mission Bay facility while security teams coordinated with local law enforcement 1

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"Our information indicates that [name] from StopAI has expressed interest in causing physical harm to OpenAI employees," an internal communications team member wrote on the company's Slack channel. "He has previously been on site at our San Francisco facilities" 1

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Police Response and Investigation

San Francisco police received a 911 call around 11 a.m. reporting threats made by an individual near 550 Terry Francois Boulevard, located in close proximity to OpenAI's offices in the Mission Bay neighborhood. According to crime tracking data from the Citizen app, police radio communications identified the suspect by name and indicated concerns that he may have purchased weapons with intentions to target additional OpenAI locations 1

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During the lockdown, OpenAI's global security team provided updates to staff, stating: "At this time, there is no indication of active threat activity, the situation remains ongoing and we're taking measured precautions as the assessment continues." Employees were advised to remove their identification badges when exiting the building and avoid wearing clothing items displaying the OpenAI logo 1

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Activist Group Distances Itself

The individual allegedly making the threats had distanced himself from Stop AI hours before the incident, posting on social media that he was "no longer part of StopAI" 1

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. The activist group subsequently released a statement emphasizing its commitment to nonviolence and distancing itself from the individual, identified by City Journal as Sam Kirchner, one of the group's cofounders 2

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Stop AI claimed in its statement that Kirchner had previously assaulted another group member who "refused to give [Kirchner] access to funds." The organization expressed concerns about his "volatile, erratic behavior and statements he made renouncing nonviolence," suggesting fears that he might "procure a weapon that he could use against employees of companies pursuing artificial superintelligence" 2

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Escalating Tensions in AI Debate

This incident represents a significant escalation in tensions between artificial intelligence companies and activist groups opposing AI development. Over the past two years, protesters affiliated with organizations calling themselves Stop AI, No AGI, and Pause AI have conducted demonstrations outside the San Francisco offices of major AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, expressing concerns about the potential dangers of advanced AI development 1

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Previous activist activities have included more conventional protest methods. In February, demonstrators were arrested for locking the front doors to OpenAI's Mission Bay office. Earlier this month, Stop AI claimed responsibility when a public defender served OpenAI CEO Sam Altman a subpoena during an onstage interview in San Francisco 1

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In a press release from last year, the individual now suspected of making threats was quoted expressing existential concerns about AI development, stating he would find "life not worth living" if AI technologies were to replace humans in scientific discoveries and job functions. He characterized the movement's position by saying: "Pause AI may be viewed as radical amongst AI people and techies, but it is not radical amongst the general public, and neither is stopping AGI development altogether" 1

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