Two rival hacker houses in Silicon Valley, both claiming the name “AGI House,” are at war with each other, fighting for supremacy in the tech world. Rocky Yu, founder of a dormant AI startup, runs one house in Hillsborough, while former Google Brain researcher Jeremy Nixon heads the other in San Francisco. Both houses have attracted high-profile tech personalities and investors, leading to a battle over the sole right to the AGI House brand, with trademark applications filed and the possibility of legal action looming.
Both AGI Houses have become centers of the AI ecosystem, hosting events, hackathons, and discussions with top names in the tech industry. The Hillsborough house is seeking to raise $35 million for a venture capital fund to invest in residents and event attendees. However, the house is facing challenges from the city of Hillsborough, as residents have complained about noise, traffic, and commercial activities. A zoning amendment is being considered to address these issues, which Yu is fighting against, calling it unconstitutional and planning to retain a renowned civil rights lawyer.
Nixon claims to be the founder of both AGI houses and plans to launch additional branches in Cambridge, London, and Seoul. The San Francisco AGI House has cultivated a diverse community of tech enthusiasts and supporters, aiming to build a global network of intellectual communities similar to the exclusive club Soho House. The house has hosted gatherings of effective accelerationists, including figures like Martin Shkreli and Garry Tan, advocating for technological advancement at all costs.
The split between the two AGI Houses came about when Nixon decided not to renew his lease, leading Yu to take over the Hillsborough property. In response, Nixon launched a new AGI House in San Francisco, leveraging his reputation to maintain the brand. The schism between the houses has led to competing visions for the future, with Nixon focusing on building an intellectual community and Yu aiming to platform and invest in AI startups. Legal battles over the AGI House trademark and ongoing events continue to fuel the rivalry between the two houses.
The ultimate success of AGI House, whether in Hillsborough or San Francisco, may depend on each camp’s ability to generate buzz and attention for the brand. Yu and Nixon are engaged in a propaganda battle, with dueling websites and claims of authenticity. If the courts rule in favor of one house as the official AGI House, Nixon has a backup plan with a new name, ASI House, focused on superintelligence. The battle for supremacy in the tech world rages on, with the fate of AGI House hanging in the balance.
