Doomsday Bunkers and the Ultra-Rich: Altman’s Perspective on AI Apocalypse

During a conversation at the WSJ Tech Live event, Altman was asked if he had prepared a bunker due to concerns about the development of AI. Altman’s response was straightforward: “I have like structures, but I wouldn’t say a bunker.” He did not elaborate on the nature of these structures but made a more profound point: “None of this is gonna help if AGI goes wrong, this is a ridiculous question.” AGI, or artificial general intelligence, refers to AI that can perform any intellectual task a human can do.

Altman’s stance is notable because he has been a vocal advocate for recognizing the potential existential threat of AI. In May, he co-authored an OpenAI blog post warning that AI could surpass human capabilities in most areas within a decade, posing a significant risk to humanity. He, along with the CEOs of Google DeepMind and Anthropic, endorsed a statement emphasizing that advanced AI carries “the risk of extinction” and should be treated as seriously as pandemics and nuclear war.

The escalating trend of doomsday bunkers and the question of efficacy

While Altman’s position is remarkable, it cannot be denied that doomsday bunkers have been on the rise among the ultra-rich. Luxury bunker specialist Clyde Scott of Rising S revealed that the demand for high-end bunkers had surged, with 200 of the company’s 232 bunkers commissioned in the five years leading up to 2021.

The motivations for constructing these bunkers are as diverse as the bunkers themselves. Some tech elites use euphemisms like “The Event” to describe a range of catastrophic scenarios that could necessitate the use of bunkers, including environmental collapse, social unrest, nuclear explosions, solar storms, unstoppable viruses, or malicious computer hacks. These bunkers come in various forms, from Vivos Group’s underground shelters in South Dakota to Rising S’ multi-million dollar luxury panic rooms.

One notable example is Miami’s Indian Creek Village, often referred to as the “billionaire bunker.” It is an island boasting its own police force, golf course, and country club, and it has attracted celebrities like Ivanka Trump and Tom Brady. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, reportedly invested millions in property on this island. While these purchases may not be directly linked to doomsday planning, they raise questions about the motivations behind such acquisitions.

Doomsday prepping is not exclusive to the ultra-rich. Fallout shelters, for example, became a common sight in the United States during the 1950s and 60s due to fears of nuclear war. However, it’s essential to maintain a realistic perspective on the effectiveness of bunkers in doomsday scenarios. Douglas Rushkoff, who explored the obsession of the ultra-rich with doomsday preparations in a tell-all book, emphasized the slim probability of bunkers protecting their inhabitants. Closed ecosystems can be fragile, and there is a risk of contamination that could undermine their utility.