Federal Agencies Target AI Critics as Counterterrorism Threat
The federal government is surveilling Americans who express skepticism about artificial intelligence, according to more than a thousand pages of unpublished intelligence reports obtained by Wired. Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies are categorizing AI critics as potential "anti-tech violent extremists" subject to the same counterterrorism protocols used against other designated threats.
Public concern about AI is widespread. Half of U.S. adults report feeling more concerned than excited about increased AI use in daily life. Among Gen Z, anxiety about the technology has grown sharply, with 42% saying AI makes them anxious.
What the Government Documents Say
One report from the New York Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau warns that "the chaotic atmosphere that may result from emergent AI technology in the next five years may fuel large-scale protests that devolve into civil unrest and anti-tech violent extremist activity, especially in large urban areas such as New York City."
The documents come from fusion centers, which coordinate between federal intelligence agencies and state and local law enforcement. These centers are reportedly monitoring threats to data centers, a focal point of the AI industry's expansion.
Counterterrorism Strategy Broadens Definition
President Donald Trump and counterterrorism czar Sebastian Gorka released the federal government's counterterrorism strategy earlier this month. The strategy names "violent left-wing extremists, including anarchists and anti-fascists" as one of three major terrorist threats to the country.
Trump's foreword to the strategy said of domestic terrorists: "We will find you and we will kill you." Anti-tech extremism now falls under this same surveillance framework.
What This Means for Government Officials
Government employees and policymakers should understand how AI governance and oversight are being shaped by counterterrorism priorities. The framing of technology criticism as a security threat affects how federal agencies allocate resources and what activities they monitor.
For those in government roles, understanding AI for Government applications and policy implications is essential. An AI Learning Path for Policy Makers can help officials navigate these emerging governance challenges.
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