Protesters challenge O’Leary’s “AI and Wealth Creations” event
Students and community members protested outside the University of Southern Indiana’s Liberty Arena during a Kevin O’Leary event, raising concerns about AI data centers, environmental impacts, energy use and job displacement. The protest was directed at the promotion of AI and data-center development rather than a specific proposed project.
Students and community members protested Sept. 23 outside Liberty Arena at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville as entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” personality Kevin O’Leary spoke about artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. More than 1,500 people attended the event, which was funded through the USI Foundation’s support of the Romain College of Business Innovative Speaker Series.
Protesters, including electrical engineering student Jonathan Perez and other USI students, said AI data centers could harm the environment, increase energy and resource demands, displace workers and threaten privacy. Some demonstrators briefly entered the arena with signs opposing AI data centers before being directed to leave; protesters also questioned the university’s decision to host O’Leary and how the event was financed.