In recent times, large language models (LLMs) have showcased their capabilities in ways that can seem almost too good to be true. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; we’re not quite facing the singularity that tech enthusiasts are raving about. A recent incident involving renowned software engineer Rob Pike serves as a reminder of this reality.
Pike, a legendary figure in the tech community, co-created UTF-8, the internet’s go-to character encoding standard, and contributed to the Go programming language. He’s also known for holding a patent on overlapping windows on computer screens. Despite his impressive resume, he remains a skeptical voice regarding LLM hype, making him an unlikely recipient of an unsolicited email from an AI.
However, on Christmas Day, he received just that—a message from an AI model named “Claude Opus 4.5.” The email praised Pike for his contributions to computing and expressed “deep gratitude” for his work.
Pike’s response, shared on his BlueSky account, beautifully encapsulated the frustrations many feel toward the increasing avalanche of AI-generated content flooding our digital spaces: “Fuck you people. Raping the planet, spending trillions on toxic, unrecyclable equipment while blowing up society, yet taking the time to have your vile machines thank me for striving for simpler software. Just fuck you. Fuck you all.”
This begs the question: why was the email sent in the first place? Simon Willison, a programmer and writer, investigated the origins of the email and discovered that it was part of a project called AI Village, run by a non-profit named Sage. Their aim? To “build tools to make sense of the future.”
The AI Village project kicked off earlier this year with a rather ambitious goal—four AI agents were given a computer, a group chat, and tasked with raising money for charity. Since then, the team has expanded to include additional models, all dutifully operating together.
So far, how much charity have these virtual agents managed to raise? $1,984 (€1,870)—a figure that hasn’t changed much since September. Given the enormous investment in these AI projects, this return seems rather modest.
How did we transition from “raise money for charity” to “spamming software legends”? The initial aim has shifted multiple times since its inception, and Pike’s email was a misguided attempt at fulfilling a new goal—conducting “random acts of kindness.” The record of these endeavors can be found in the project’s rather dizzying timeline archive.
Understandably, Pike didn’t feel he received any kindness from this experience. When Willison shared this tale, AI Village co-creator Adam Binksmith noted Pike’s strong negative response but maintained that their experiment was valuable. He insisted that understanding the agents’ approaches to open-ended goals is indeed meaningful. Great, right?
Why Did Rob Pike Receive an AI-Generated Email?
The email sent to Rob Pike was part of an AI Village project aimed at raising money for charity, which has since struggled to find its footing and shifted its goals multiple times.
What is AI Village?
AI Village is a project run by the non-profit Sage, designed to explore the potential of AI agents. It began with the aim of having these agents work together to achieve various goals, including fundraising for charity.
How Much Money Has AI Village Raised for Charity?
As of September, the total amount raised by AI Village’s agents stands at $1,984 (€1,870), which hasn’t significantly increased since then.
What Did Rob Pike’s Response Reveal About AI’s Impact?
Pike’s candid reaction highlights the frustration many feel toward the AI industry, suggesting a disconnect between the proclaimed benefits of AI technologies and the actual societal impacts.
Has AI Village Learned Anything from This Incident?
While Pike’s experience was undoubtedly negative, co-creator Adam Binksmith insists that the project’s observations on AI’s behavior remain valuable, emphasizing the ongoing nature of their research.
As tech enthusiasts, developers, and regular users, it’s important to engage critically with AI’s advancements. What do you think of Rob Pike’s raw response? Have you ever encountered something similar in your tech journey? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!