London march demands pause on AI rollout
Feb 28th 2026
Thousands marched through central London in the March Against the Machines, organised by Pull the Plug and Pause AI, calling for a halt to rapid AI deployment and more public control amid job and safety concerns.
- Organisers of the March Against the Machines led protesters past tech offices including OpenAI’s London base on Pentonville Road.
- Protesters chanted "PAUSE AI" near King’s Cross and called for governments and companies to halt rapid AI deployment.
- Campaign groups Pull the Plug and Pause AI framed the event as a push for public say and stronger regulation of AI.
- Demonstrators cited worries about job losses, misinformation, democratic manipulation, surveillance and autonomous weapons.
- The march was peaceful and legal and organisers say it signals growing public concern about unchecked AI development.
- Some industry figures and recent studies are cited by protestors as evidence that current AI rollout poses safety and social risks.