Stop AI is an American activist organization formed in 2024. Based in Oakland, California,1 it seeks to ban the development of artificial general intelligence, a hypothetical technology being researched by some companies, including OpenAI.2
Some Stop AI members have been arrested for blocking doors to OpenAI offices as protest.34 In November of 2025, the San Francisco Public Defender's Office delivered a subpoena to Sam Altman, as part of an ongoing trial of Stop AI members, while Altman appeared on stage a public event. 5
According to a Stop AI leader, in late 2025, Stop AI co-founder Sam Kirchner punched him due to disagreement about the organization4 and suddenly disappeared.6 OpenAI and local police feared potentially violent intentions and locked down San Francisco offices.7 Kirchner was expelled from Stop AI.4
References
References
- "The 'unhinged' group at the edge of the AI debate". POLITICO. 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- "AI activists seek ban on Artificial General Intelligence". Archived from the original on 2026-01-17. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- "Can you fight the AI apocalypse without losing your mind?". sfstandard.com. 2025-12-11. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- Council, Stephen (2025-12-09). "Bay Area tech activist's dramatic disappearance leads to grueling search". SF Gate.
- "Sam Altman apparently subpoenaed moments into SF talk with Steve Kerr". sfgate.com. 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2026-04-07.
- Tiffany, Kaitlyn (2025-12-04). "The Strange Disappearance of an Anti-AI Activist". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- Schiffer, Zoë. "OpenAI Locks Down San Francisco Offices Following Alleged Threat From Activist". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2026-02-28.