In Silicon Valley, a company hoodie used to be a status symbol. Now, for employees at top AI firms like Anthropic, it’s reportedly becoming a liability they’re being asked to hide, signaling a tense new chapter in the industry.
An Unusual Directive
In a move that feels more
suited to intelligence operatives than software engineers, employees at leading AI companies Anthropic and OpenAI are reportedly being instructed to go incognito. Recent reports indicate that staff have been asked to conceal their company identification badges when outside the office and to avoid wearing branded merchandise, like hoodies or T-shirts, in public. Anthropic has reportedly all but banned company 'swag' and regularly reminds its staff to hide their affiliation when leaving the building. This directive marks a significant cultural shift in the tech world, where company gear has long been worn as a badge of honor, signifying membership in an exclusive and innovative club.
Espionage and Unwanted Approaches
The reasons behind this newfound secrecy are twofold, stemming from both covert and overt threats. Firstly, there's the risk of corporate espionage. As the race to build more powerful AI intensifies, so does the value of proprietary information. OpenAI's security training explicitly warns employees to be wary of strangers who might offer money, friendship, or even romance in an attempt to glean inside information. One investor noted that everyone wants firsthand information on the cutting edge of technology, leading people to repeatedly approach AI workers. These aren't just theoretical concerns; reports mention people attempting to photograph Anthropic's offices and a spy allegedly approaching an OpenAI employee at a playground. Staff are also being advised to use privacy screens on public transport.
A Climate of Public Hostility
The second, more public, driver of these precautions is a growing climate of hostility toward AI and the companies building it. In San Francisco, the hub of this technological revolution, a tangible sense of public anxiety has fueled protests and direct action. Activists have marched on the headquarters of OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind, demanding a pause to the 'AI race' over safety concerns. These demonstrations, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, reflect a widespread fear about AI's potential impact on everything from jobs and surveillance to the very future of humanity. The father of one Anthropic employee noted that his son and colleagues now avoid discussing work socially, acutely aware that their jobs can make them targets.
From Protests to Personal Threats
This public anger has, in some instances, escalated from peaceful protest to direct threats and violence, blurring the line between activism and harassment. In March 2026, activists scrawled messages outside OpenAI's offices urging staff to quit over a Pentagon agreement. More alarmingly, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home was targeted in two separate incidents in April 2026. One suspect allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at his property, while others were accused of firing a shot outside his home days later. In light of such threats, the high cost of security has become a new reality. Anthropic disclosed in a filing that it spent $2.7 million on personal security for its CEO, Dario Amodei.
