In Silicon Valley, company swag is often a badge of honor. But at two of the world's leading AI labs, OpenAI and Anthropic, employees are reportedly being told to hide their affiliation, signaling a new, more cautious era for tech.
What the Reports Say
According to recent
reports, both OpenAI and Anthropic have advised their employees to maintain a low profile in public. For OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, this has included instructions not to wear company-branded clothing or logos outside the office. The company's security training also warns staff to be wary of outsiders who might try to extract confidential information through various means, including offers of friendship or money. Similarly, Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI models, has reportedly restricted branded merchandise and reminds its workers to hide their company badges when they are not on the premises. These measures extend to digital privacy as well, with advice for employees to use privacy screens on laptops while on public transport and to ensure whiteboards are erased after meetings.
A Precaution for Personal Safety
The primary driver behind these directives appears to be a growing concern for employee safety amidst rising public hostility towards AI. The leaders in the field have become targets, a fact underscored by serious incidents. In April 2026, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home was reportedly targeted in two separate attacks, one allegedly involving a Molotov cocktail and another where shots were fired outside the residence. These events, coupled with protests outside company offices, have created a climate of caution. Anthropic has also acknowledged security threats, with reports of people attempting to photograph its offices. The company disclosed spending $2.7 million on personal security services for its CEO, Dario Amodei, highlighting the perceived level of risk for high-profile figures in the AI space.
Espionage and Information Security
Beyond physical threats, the companies are also contending with the risk of corporate espionage. As the race to develop more powerful AI intensifies, the proprietary research and data held by these firms are incredibly valuable. Security training at OpenAI specifically warns about spies potentially attempting to build personal relationships to gain access to confidential information. One report detailed an incident where an OpenAI employee was approached by a stranger at a playground, with the conversation gradually shifting towards their work in what was suspected to be an intelligence-gathering attempt. An investor in both companies noted that AI workers are frequently approached by individuals seeking inside information on the latest technological developments, forcing employees to be guarded in their conversations.
A Sign of Widespread AI Anxiety
This 'go-incognito' strategy reflects a broader trend of public anxiety and distrust surrounding artificial intelligence. Polling data reveals a significant trust deficit; one survey found only 15% of Americans trust AI companies to manage the technology's development. Public concerns are wide-ranging, from fears of mass job displacement to the spread of misinformation and the potential loss of human control over advanced systems. This sentiment has only grown as the technology has become more widespread. The tech industry is also seeing a 'right to warn' movement, with a growing number of current and former employees from major AI labs, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind, publicly voicing concerns that safety is being sidelined in the rush for progress. This internal dissent and external fear create a volatile environment where being visibly associated with a top AI firm can invite unwelcome attention.
