At Seattle AI Week, upbeat tech industry outlook is met with protests
Protests disrupted Seattle AI Week as climate activists criticized the environmental and economic impacts of expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure, particularly data centers’ electricity and water demands. Demonstrators called for data center moratoriums and stronger state regulation, while state officials and industry leaders defended Washington’s technology sector and existing environmental protections.
Climate activists disrupted Seattle AI Week events at Pier 70, confronting state policy adviser Beau Perschbacher and protesting the influence of major technology companies over Washington policy. Demonstrators from Climate Defiance, the Oil and Gas Action Network and Seattle-based Troublemakers called for data center moratoriums and stricter AI regulations, citing data centers’ electricity and water use as well as proposed natural gas pipeline expansions. Some protesters demonstrated from kayaks in Elliott Bay, while others gathered outside the event venue.
The protests occurred as speakers promoted Seattle’s growing AI sector, which includes hundreds of companies and attracts billions of dollars in investment. Perschbacher said environmental concerns were legitimate but pointed to recently approved chatbot regulations and Washington’s environmental laws. Industry representatives and former Gov. Christine Gregoire argued that the state must remain competitive in technology, while acknowledging that public concerns about AI’s effects and future growth deserve debate.