Federal intelligence agencies and domestic law enforcement have identified "anti-tech extremism" as an emerging domestic threat category tied to opposition to artificial intelligence and technology, according to more than 1,000 pages of unpublished Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, and fusion center reports obtained in May 2026 [1, 2].

The new term "anti-tech violent extremism" appears in a report by the New York Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau, warning that the rapid adoption of AI technology over the next five years could fuel large-scale protests and violent extremist actions targeting technology infrastructure, especially in major cities like New York [1]. The report states, "The chaotic atmosphere that may result from emergent AI technology in the next five years may fuel large-scale protests that devolve into civil unrest and anti-tech violent extremist activity, especially in large urban areas such as New York City" [1].

Previously, domestic extremism guides from the DHS and FBI did not include "anti-tech violent extremism" as a recognized category, marking this as a novel classification within counterterrorism efforts [1, 2].

Earlier in May 2026, the Trump administration released directives including National Security Presidential Memo 7, instructing the Department of Justice to target individuals holding "anti-American," "anti-Christian," and "anti-capitalism" beliefs, thereby expanding the scope of domestic surveillance [1, 2]. Trump’s counterterrorism czar Sebastian Gorka publicly named left-wing extremists among top counterterrorism priorities in the United States [1, 2].

The extensive reports signal a national shift toward surveilling groups opposed to advancing technology and AI, viewed as a potential new source of domestic unrest. Law enforcement agencies appear focused on anticipating and preventing violence linked to these emerging ideologies [1, 2].

In May 2026, WIRED published the leaked DHS, FBI, and fusion center reports revealing the government's growing concern over "anti-tech extremism" [1, 2]. The Intelligence Bureau’s May report adds urgency by forecasting potential unrest over the next five years as AI technology becomes more widespread [1].