Tech CEOs want the world to embrace AI, but protestors outside their G20 gathering show the industry’s growing popularity problem

(Credit: Matt Ramey—AFP via Getty Images)

Inside the G20 event in Chapel Hill, N.C. this week, tech leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman raved about AI’s capabilities and the need to build more data centers. But outside, protestors struck a different tune.

In a “fireside chat” with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Altman called AI “incredible magic of intelligence in a bottle,” while also warning AI’s infrastructure needs would keep expanding.