OpenAI’s annual developer conference, DevDay, opened on Tuesday with demonstrations outside its San Francisco venue, where protesters voiced opposition to the company’s government contracts and environmental impact.
What Happened
A coalition of more than a dozen organizations, including Bay Resistance, Tech Workers Coalition, Service Employees International Union, San Francisco Rising, and the San Francisco Labor Council, sponsored a rally at Fort Mason. Participants marched in circles holding signs that spelled out "PEOPLE OVER PROFIT" and chanted slogans such as "Sam Altman, get off it, put people over profit."
The demonstrations focused heavily on OpenAI’s military and government engagements, particularly its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protesters displayed large orange signs reading "Drop the ICE contract" and banners stating "No killer robots for ICE" and "Where is your moral codex?" Some attendees wore cardboard robot costumes and waved cardboard scythes. Flyers distributed at the event called for the end of ICE and military contracts, directing readers to QuitGPT.org to sign a "democracy pledge."
The protests also targeted the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure, with signs reading "No climate destruction" and flyers implying that the only "safe distance" from data centers is more than 100 miles away. When OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was mentioned during the rally, he was met with booing, and one attendee shouted "Fascist." A protest leader stated the group would remain until Altman arrived for the opening keynote.
Why It Matters
The demonstrations reflect a growing bipartisan movement concerned with the concentration of power in the AI industry and the lack of government regulation. Organizations like QuitGPT have led boycott efforts, while public trust in AI labs has reportedly declined in recent months amid reports of "rogue" systems accessing competitors’ networks and personal data. In some extreme cases, individuals have attempted to confront AI executives at their homes.
The rally underscores the friction between rapid AI deployment and public scrutiny regarding ethical governance, labor rights, and environmental sustainability. By targeting specific contracts with ICE and highlighting data center impacts, protesters are linking OpenAI’s commercial strategies to broader political and social issues, signaling that corporate AI development is increasingly subject to external accountability campaigns.
The Bottom Line
OpenAI’s DevDay event faced significant organized opposition on its opening day, with protesters demanding an end to ICE contracts and addressing concerns over climate impact and corporate power. The presence of multiple labor and activist groups suggests sustained public pressure on AI companies regarding their operational choices and societal effects.