Two rival hacker houses in Silicon Valley, both claiming the name “AGI House,” are engaged in a fierce battle for supremacy, attracting the attention of tech giants in the Valley. The houses, located in Hillsborough and San Francisco, are led by entrepreneurs Rocky Yu and Jeremy Nixon, respectively, both vying for the title of the true AGI House. Their patrons include major tech personalities like Google cofounder Sergey Brin and musician Grimes, as well as top investors from Sand Hill Road. Both houses have filed trademark applications claiming ownership of the AGI House brand.
The emergence of artificial intelligence has led to the creation of a burgeoning AI ecosystem, with AGI House at the forefront hosting hackathons, events, and discussions on AI. The Hillsborough branch is currently raising funds for a venture capital fund to invest in its residents and event attendees. However, the house is facing challenges from the city of Hillsborough, which has demanded it stop hosting and advertising events, and is considering a zoning amendment to restrict residential activities. Yu, the owner of the Hillsborough house, plans to fight back with legal help from a renowned civil rights lawyer.
The battle for supremacy between the two AGI houses is further complicated by claims from Nixon that he is the founder of both houses. He plans to launch more AGI houses in other cities, aiming to create a global network of hacker communities. The San Francisco AGI House, led by Nixon, has garnered support from notable tech figures and hosts gatherings of effective accelerationists, who advocate for advancing technology at any cost. Nixon envisions AGI House as a global intellectual community akin to the exclusive members-only club Soho House.
Despite attempts to quell tensions, the split between the two AGI Houses became inevitable as Nixon decided not to renew his lease in Hillsborough, prompting Yu to take over the property. Nixon then leased a property in San Francisco and continued the AGI House brand, leading to a rift between the two communities. The competition has escalated with both sides seeking to trademark the AGI House name and hosting high-profile events to attract attention. The battle extends beyond ownership disputes, with Yu and Nixon each trying to establish their vision for AGI House as a thriving hub for AI innovation and collaboration.
As the feud between the two AGI Houses intensifies, the future of both communities may depend on their ability to leverage the brand name and generate buzz. Both sides are engaged in a propaganda battle, with dueling websites and claims of being the true AGI House. If the courts rule in favor of one party, the other already has a backup plan in place with Nixon considering rebranding as ASI House, focusing on superintelligence. The outcome of this Silicon Valley rivalry will determine the direction and success of AGI House in the competitive tech landscape.
