“There is this kind of an apocalyptic mindset that people can get into,” Émile P. Torre — a philosopher, historian and acquaintance of Kirchner — told The Atlantic. Stop AI’s mission is to push for a “permanent global ban on the development of artificial superintelligence,” The Atlantic reports. Kirchner disagreed with Stop AI messaging for a protest and then beat up Matthew “Yakko” Hall, the current leader of the group, after Kirchner tried to access funds from Stop AI’s coffers. Stop AI members don’t think he’s a public danger and are more scared about his mental and physical health. “I have been worried about people in the AI-safety crowd resorting to violence,” Torres said, reflecting on Kirchner’s story.