On a recent NBC News segment, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, shared his worries about rising violence involving Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. He emphasized that protecting democracy at home is crucial. He stated, “We need to defend our own democratic values.” Importantly, Anthropic doesn’t have contracts with ICE, reflecting his stance.
Similarly, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed concerns in a private message to his employees, saying, “What’s happening with ICE is going too far.” He stressed the need to differentiate between deporting criminals and current actions, asserting, “Part of loving the country is the American duty to push back against overreach.”
Tech workers from both companies are pushing for their leaders to take action. They want the CEOs to call on the White House to withdraw ICE from U.S. cities, especially after the tragic deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.
An anonymous group, ICEout.tech, praised Amodei’s and Altman’s statements but urged other tech giants like Apple and Google to break their silence on the issue.
While both executives voiced their concerns, they also complimented President Trump. Amodei noted Trump’s willingness to allow an independent investigation into the shootings, and Altman called Trump a “strong leader” who could unite the country during this crisis.
However, Altman has yet to criticize the administration’s immigration policies or the use of Border Patrol agents in cities. J.J. Colao, a public relations expert and supporter of ICEout.tech, criticized Altman for his contradictory stance, pointing out that praising Trump undermines his critique of ICE’s actions.
The context of these statements is interesting, especially considering the substantial funding these companies have received under the current administration. OpenAI raised around $40 billion, while Anthropic secured about $19 billion. This financial backing has fueled rapid growth in AI development.
Historically, Altman has not shied away from strong political opinions. In 2016, he harshly criticized Trump, warning of the dangers of demagoguery and calling for action against rising authoritarianism.
Amodei previously criticized Trump’s decision to allow Nvidia to sell AI chips to China, likening it to giving nuclear weapons to North Korea. This indicates a complex relationship where leaders grapple with both their business interests and moral responsibilities.
So, will Amodei and Altman take further action that aligns with employee demands? As the situation unfolds, their responses may significantly impact public perception and company policies.
For further insights into the implications of these events, you can refer to reports from NBC News and The New York Times.
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Anthropic,dario amodei,OpenAI,sam altman
