AI Safety Activists Launch Hunger Strike at Google DeepMind

A growing protest movement has reached the heart of London’s tech scene, as AI safety activists launch a hunger strike outside Google DeepMind’s headquarters.

Leading the strike is 25-year-old Denys Sheremet, who began refusing food on September 5 after being inspired by a similar protest outside U.S. AI firm Anthropic.

Sheremet is calling on major AI companies to pause development of so-called “frontier AI” models—highly advanced systems that campaigners fear could spiral out of human control or be misused for catastrophic purposes, including the creation of super-viruses.

Another activist, Michael Trazzi, briefly joined the strike but was forced to stop on medical advice.

While activists frame frontier AI as an existential threat, many experts caution that the risks remain hypothetical. Researchers note there is little scientific evidence proving a direct link between current AI research and large-scale threats, contrasting the debate with established dangers like nuclear weapons or climate change.

Google DeepMind has responded by emphasizing its focus on safety, governance, and the potential for AI to improve lives.