OpenAI’s annual DevDay conference in San Francisco starts with protests outside the venue. Multiple outlets report demonstrators chanting slogans and holding signs, including calls to put “people over profit,” with one chant specifically addressing CEO Sam Altman.
The protest focuses on OpenAI’s partnerships and the company’s stance on related issues. Sources say demonstrators raise concerns about OpenAI’s collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and demand a stronger ethical position. Additional themes mentioned by outlets include concerns about the environmental impact of AI and the sector’s ties to military uses.
Coverage also describes tensions involving attendees, reflecting broader public debate about the growing influence of AI companies and how their activities affect society. While the outlets agree on the existence of the rally and the “people over profit” messaging, they differ in emphasis, with some detailing the specific partnership concerns and others highlighting the protest organization and slogans at the event’s opening.
