As the speed of development of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, an anti-AI group has emerged that has set OpenAI as a primary target to prevent the development of AGI (artificial general intelligence). Amid major corporations rapidly advancing AI development and entering a competition for technological hegemony, debates are expected to intensify over whether AGI will become a technology that revolutionizes humanity’s future or an uncontrollable danger.
◇ “If AI surpasses humans, it will be an uncontrollable threat”
According to industry sources on the 25th, there is an opposition movement calling for the complete halt of AGI development as AI technology rapidly advances. Analysis suggests that ethical and social concerns have heightened as the pace of AI technological advancement accelerates.
Recently organized, STOP AI held its first protest in front of OpenAI's headquarters in San Francisco on the 22nd (local time). They urged for a halt to AI research, stating, “The moment AGI surpasses humans, it will become an uncontrollable threat.”
According to reports from local media, San Francisco Chronicle, at least three individuals were arrested for trespassing on the OpenAI building during the protest, and STOP AI warned that “if AGI development is not halted, we will take stronger actions.”
At this protest, demands were also made for a reinvestigation into the death of Sunchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee and whistleblower. Balaji was found dead at his home in San Francisco last November and was officially ruled a suicide, but his family has raised questions and is pursuing legal action.
He had revealed that OpenAI had violated copyright laws, and STOP AI asserted, “We must unveil what he knew,” arguing, “While corporations are creating AI, they have never provided evidence that the AI they created is controllable.”
◇ “Rapidly replacing even high-level knowledge work”
Recently, global AI corporations have intensified competition by expanding their research aimed at developing AGI.
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is actively recruiting talent in the AGI institutional sector, claiming they will create AI that resembles humans. They are recruiting deep learning researchers, data specialists, and legal directors, accelerating AI research with a maximum salary offer of 250 million won for AI researchers.
Meta has initiated organizational restructuring by laying off approximately 3,700 employees, or 5% of its workforce, in order to secure AI talent, while OpenAI has unveiled an AI agent named “Deep Research,” suggesting the possibility of AI replacing research and strategic tasks. Deep Research possesses much more sophisticated analytical capabilities than existing AIs, indicating that AI has reached a stage where it can replace not only simple repetitive tasks but also advanced knowledge work.
As a result, there are predictions that AI replacing human jobs is quickly becoming a reality. AI agent developer Sam Witbin told VentureBeat, “We are now in an era where you can receive a $20,000 consulting report for $200,” adding that “this change will have a significant impact on the labor market.”
The AI industry holds the stance that blocking technological advancements due to certain dysfunctional aspects is unrealistic. Although OpenAI has not issued an official response to the STOP AI protest, it is expected to maintain its existing position of continuing to develop “responsible AI” even if future protests escalate.
Kim Myung-joo, head of the AI Safety Research Institute at the Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), noted, “As AI technology advances, concerns over side effects and dysfunctionalities are also growing,” adding, “The current anti-AI movement is rooted in the perception that only certain major corporations benefit while the public must bear the risks.”
He further pointed out, “No matter how advanced AI technology is, if consumers feel uneasy, they will refrain from using it,” stating, “If developers do not ensure the trustworthiness and safety of their technology, they may face significant social resistance.”