The existential AI threat is here — and some AI leaders are fleeing
Thursday, February 12, 2026
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OpenAI researcher Hieu Pham sounds the alarm on X, stating "I finally feel the existential threat that AI is posing," as Anthropic's "sabotage report" reveals the risk of AI being used for chemical weapons and other crimes without human intervention.
Tech investor Jason Calacanis notes a surge in concerns among technologists, saying "I've never seen so many technologists state their concerns so strongly, frequently and with such concern as I have with AI," as entrepreneur Matt Shumer's viral post gathers 56 million views in 36 hours.
Despite bullish sentiments from most AI company employees, Anthropic and OpenAI acknowledge the risks, with OpenAI dismantling its mission alignment team and Anthropic publishing a report on the dangers of unchecked AI, prompting "real-time soul-searching" among experts, according to tech columnist Casey Newton.
