Key Points
- Anthropic, OpenAI and Apple CEOs publicly condemned the Minneapolis ICE shootings.
- Anthropic and OpenAI confirmed they have no contracts with ICE.
- Internal messages and leaked emails revealed employee pressure for stronger action.
- The CEOs also expressed praise for President Trump, creating mixed reactions.
- Tech workers are calling for companies to end any ties with ICE and speak out publicly.
- Spokespersons declined to provide additional comment on the companies’ positions.
Corporate Leaders Respond to Minneapolis ICE Incident
Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Apple chief executive Tim Cook each issued statements after Border Patrol agents shot two citizens in Minneapolis. Amodei spoke on a national news segment, emphasizing the need to protect democratic values at home and noting that Anthropic holds no contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Altman’s internal message to OpenAI staff expressed concern over the actions of ICE and urged the company to defend American values while also praising President Trump as a strong leader. Cook’s leaked email to Apple employees described his heartbreak over the events.
Employees at all three companies have been urging their CEOs to take stronger action, including calling for the termination of any contracts with ICE and demanding public opposition to the agency’s tactics. The internal communications highlighted a growing movement within the tech sector to hold corporate leaders accountable for social and political issues.
Both Anthropic and OpenAI confirmed they do not have any contracts with ICE, while Apple’s response remains less clear. Spokespersons for the companies declined to provide further comment. The mixed messaging—condemnation of the violence paired with praise for the president—has sparked debate among staff and industry observers about the appropriate role of tech executives in political matters.
Industry analysts note that the statements come amid heightened scrutiny of tech firms’ relationships with government agencies and their influence on public policy. The situation underscores the tension between employee activism, corporate leadership, and political affiliations within the rapidly evolving artificial‑intelligence sector.
Source: techcrunch.com