If your social media feed doesn’t align with the likes of Sam Altman and Elon Musk, aka those leading the artificial intelligence wave, you may have spotted a certain “anti-AI” video on the Internet today.

As amplified by known pop culture pages like ‘DiscussingFilm,’ the now-viral clip showed a plane flying over Silicon Valley with a banner reading “HIRE HUMAN BEINGS.” The San Francisco Bay Area region is widely recognised as the “global epicentre” of high technology and innovation, and even more so AI now.

Fans instantly lauded the simple gesture, which some others may brand “controversial,” given its relevance amid the current AI boom. Those standing by the “anti-AI” move labelled it a “personal attack,” considering where the banner was unveiled. However, not many realised that the tactic had been employed as part of a Hollywood movie promotion.

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Why was there an anti-AI ‘hire human beings’ sign over Silicon Valley?

The “hire human beings” message was iconic director Gore Verbinski’s latest bizarre science fiction flick’s way of wishing “a Valentine to Silicon Valley.” The official page of the Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die movie’s X account shared the clip of the plane message early February 13 (IST).

The tweet sharing the video also plugged the link to buy the movie’s tickets, as the ridiculously comedic Sam Rockwell-starrer is now playing in US theatres. Also starring Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chaudhry and Juno Temple, the action-adventure film is centred around a bizarre stranger, who after storming into a classic Los Angeles diner claims to be from the future.

He then presents a proposal to the clueless customers at the location, telling them they are humanity’s last hope as they might just be unexpected recruits sent to avert impending global doom.

Gore Verbinski hate for AI louder than ever

The Pirate of the Caribbean filmmaker has returned with his latest directorial after a nearly decade-long absence on theatre screens. Through his genre-blended adventure with Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die in the new year, Verbinski chose to sound off on a number of issues, including “cell phone hypnosis, gun violence desensitization and AI dehumanisation,” as per The Hollywood Reporter.

He has repeatedly criticised AI for being “dehumanising.”

In an interview with the Hollywood outlet ahead of the Feb 13 theatrical release, especially voiced his vehement hate for the sore subject. “Why is AI helping me write a song or tell a story? I don’t want it to breathe or f*ck for me; I want it to solve cancer,” he told THR.

“Send some sh*t through a black hole; do something that we can’t do. Or dig a ditch; do the shit we don’t want to do. Why is it coming after the stuff that we essentially need to do to be human beings?”

Raising some big questions about and against artificial intelligence, he went on, “These are AI’s formative years, and we’re fucking with it in a way. What is it doing to us — and what are we doing to it? I don’t know if anybody’s asking that question.”

“There’s no sense of it being born free of our shit. If man was made in God’s image and Gods need to be worshiped, is that why there’s so many narcissists in the world? Did we inherit that? Is that woven into our DNA? So all these executives who are manipulating AI’s core code at the moment it’s becoming potentially sentient, what is that going to do to it?”

Hollywood film’s ‘free tix’ pitch to AI-hit employees

In addition to its “HIRE HUMAN BEINGS” plea, the film promised some free-of-cost tickets to those who “have lost their job to AI.”

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In a previous social media post, independent American film production banner Briarcliff Entertainment said, “If you or someone you know has been quietly replaced, sidelined, or optimised in the name of progress, tell us your story and receive a pair of tickets, on the house.”

Meanwhile, Briarcliff Entertainment CEO Tom Ortenberg added, “Who better to see a film about AI’s impact than those already experiencing it firsthand?

Reactions to the ‘Anti-AI’ movie marketing

A user commented: “Silicon Valley reading ‘Hire human beings’ like it’s a personal attack Movie already winning.” Another said, “That’s actually genius marketing. Silicon Valley must’ve felt that.”

A third wrote: “Marketing team understood the assignment. That’s how you sell an AI villain movie.” A fourth said, “Gore Verbinski always finds unique ways to make people pay attention. This one’s memorable.”

Yet another chimed in, “Plane over Silicon Valley screaming ‘HIRE HUMAN BEINGS’ Movie promo just became the loudest anti-AI protest of 2026. I’m in theaters this weekend.”

As for the “free tix” move, someone had written on X, “At this rate everyone will qualify for free tickets.” Someone described the gesture as “cynicism wrapped in generosity,” while another called it “darkly funny fallout consolation.”