The federal government has a new label for people who really, really don’t like artificial intelligence. It’s called “anti-tech violent extremism,” and it has never appeared in any prior domestic extremism report from the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security.
A report from the New York Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau warns that the rapid rollout of AI technology could trigger large-scale protests and civil unrest, particularly in dense urban environments like New York City. The assessment represents a meaningful shift in how US law enforcement categorizes domestic threats, placing anti-AI activism alongside more established extremism categories for the first time.
What’s actually happening on the ground
The Soufan Center, a nonprofit that tracks global security threats, has documented a surge in violent rhetoric targeting AI advocates, data center builders, and policymakers. That escalation has been especially pronounced from late 2025 through May 2026.
In April 2026, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was the target of an attack, an incident that underscored the personal risks facing prominent AI figures. In December 2025, significant rallies took place in Michigan, where protesters called for a moratorium on data center construction.
