San Francisco Scandal: AI Founder Creates Controversial Web Game
The game, which depicts local residents as zombies, has ignited a fierce debate over ethics in the tech industry.
A Scandalous Game and Its Content
The tech community and San Francisco residents have sharply criticised NanoCorp founder Pierre-Louis Biojout, who used "vibe coding"—a rapid programming method—to create a web game titled Tenderloin Night Shift. The game is set in San Francisco's notorious Tenderloin district, an area struggling with homelessness and open-air drug use.
The premise is simple: players must shoot "zombies." However, footage shared by local media reveals that these "zombies" are depicted as drug-addicted individuals and neighborhood security guards. Biojout posted on X, stating that since the city has failed to solve the Tenderloin's problems, he decided to "monetise" the district into a Call of Duty-style game. He added that he had already earned $300 from in-game advertisements.
Sharp Public Reaction
The initiative has faced widespread backlash. Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, stated that Biojout is profiting from the dehumanisation of people and the act of "pretend" murder. Critics point out that the game specifically targets the neighborhood's residents, who are predominantly Black or from various ethnic minority groups.
Biojout has rejected the criticism, claiming his intention was not to simulate the murder of real people. He argues that the game also includes characters from the tech sector, though this argument has failed to appease the public. Other tech startup founders have also criticised Biojout, noting that people struggling with addiction are not "zombies" and that such an attitude is unacceptable.
What Is Next for the Project?
Following the scandal, Tenderloin Night Shift has been removed from the NanoCorp website, and the founder has deleted his controversial post. Nevertheless, the debate regarding the boundary between innovation and ethics continues. Despite the criticism, some social media users have defended Biojout, claiming that the residents of the Tenderloin "are no longer human."
This case highlights the growing tension between San Francisco's tech community and the city's social issues. For readers in Georgia, this example serves as a reminder of how technological tools, such as AI and rapid coding, can trigger a moral crisis if their use is not accompanied by proper ethical responsibility.