AI Controversy: CEO Receives Pigs Head With Threat Over Real Estate Tech Disruption

Blake Owens, CEO of the AI-driven real estate company Agrippa, reported receiving a severed pig's head and a threatening letter at a family member's home on July 29. The letter criticized the company's AI tool, "Marcus," which facilitates real estate transactions without brokers, stating, "AI is not going to replace brokers." The package sender was listed as "Marcus Agrippa," a nod to Agrippa's AI system.

Owens interpreted the incident as a reflection of broader industry fears about AI displacing jobs. Despite the unsettling nature of the threat, Owens noted the frustration likely stems from industry changes impacting those resistant to AI integration. The Metropolitan Police Department logged the incident as harassment, but without identifying the sender, and Owens expressed no intent to press charges if the sender is identified. He emphasized that fear often arises when technological disruption outpaces education, affecting multiple sectors beyond real estate.