Digital rights activist Guido Reichstadter has concluded his 30-day hunger strike outside the San Francisco headquarters of artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The protest, which began last month, was staged to draw attention to ethical concerns surrounding advanced computational systems and their potential societal impacts.
Reichstadter maintained his vigil outside the company’s offices despite deteriorating physical condition, surviving only on water and electrolyte supplements. Medical professionals had repeatedly expressed concern about the long-term health consequences of such prolonged fasting. The activist’s demands centered on increased transparency in algorithmic development and stronger regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies.
Anthropic representatives acknowledged the protest but maintained their commitment to developing responsible artificial intelligence systems. The company recently published its constitutional AI approach, which outlines governance principles for technology development.
While Reichstadter’s specific grievances weren’t fully addressed, his protest succeeded in generating significant media coverage and public discussion about technology ethics. Supporters gathered regularly at the protest site, organizing parallel demonstrations in several major cities. The activist’s decision to end his hunger strike follows consultations with medical professionals and family members concerned about his wellbeing.
