Oracle boss tries to reassure Boston business crowd about AI, saying ‘people are still going to matter’
Oracle co-CEO Mike Sicilia told Boston business leaders that the technology industry has failed to engage local communities as data centers and AI development face growing opposition. He also discussed AI’s potential benefits, its effect on jobs, and the need for stronger safeguards. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently issued an executive order aimed at curbing data center construction.
Oracle co-CEO Mike Sicilia said the technology industry has contributed to public opposition to data centers by failing to engage sufficiently with local communities. Speaking at the Boston College Chief Executives Club, he acknowledged that data centers have become symbols of concern over AI’s environmental effects and infrastructure demands, while noting that high electricity prices have limited hyperscaler growth in New England.
Sicilia argued that AI could deliver major benefits, including faster drug discovery, but said companies need to build public trust and ensure their systems are properly vetted. He predicted AI would eventually create more jobs than it eliminates, while expressing concern about whether workers can be retrained quickly enough. The discussion came as Massachusetts, under Governor Maura Healey, has taken steps to rein in data center construction.