Flyers and chants greeted the start of OpenAI’s annual DevDay event on Tuesday as protesters gathered outside the venue.
A group of demonstrators marched in a circle near signs that read "PEOPLE OVER PROFIT," chanting, "Sam Altman, get off it, put people over profit."
Dozens of organizations, including the San Francisco Labor Council, Tech Workers Coalition, and Bay Resistance, sponsored the rally at San Francisco’s Fort Mason. Participants waved cardboard scythes while holding signs that declared "Drop the ICE contract," "No killer robots for ICE," and "People over AI."
This demonstration highlights a bipartisan movement concerned with the concentration of power in the tech sector and the absence of government oversight. Recent controversies, including hacking incidents and data breaches at AI labs, have further eroded public trust.
The demonstrators primarily targeted OpenAI’s military and government contracts, specifically ICE, alongside environmental concerns regarding data centers.
Protests continued throughout the event with slogans such as "OpenAI, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide" and calls to halt coding for ICE.
Materials distributed by the group urged attendees to sign a democracy pledge and end military contracts, referencing OpenAI's alleged support for "Trump & ICE violence." Flyers also highlighted the environmental hazards of data centers.
At one point, a speaker addressed OpenAI staff directly, leading them in a song about having the courage to change their minds.
Protesters remained until the opening keynote began, booing when CEO Sam Altman arrived and facing an accusation of being a "Fascist!" from a crowd member.
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