OpenAI hosted an influencer “Summer Camp” reportedly held in upstate New York, designed to give creators hands-on experience with the recently launched ChatGPT Work tools and help them share practical uses with their audiences. The event drew backlash, with critics branding it “dystopian,” largely due to growing environmental concerns surrounding AI. AI systems rely on vast data centres requiring significant amounts of energy, water, and raw materials to build and operate, and the electronic waste produced can contain hazardous substances including mercury and lead. Once operational, these large-scale AI infrastructure data centres require huge amounts of electricity and water-intensive cooling systems. Golestan (Sally) Radwan, the Chief Digital Officer of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said, “There is still much we don’t know about the environmental impact of AI, but some of the data we do have is concerning. We need to make sure the net effect of AI on the planet is positive before we deploy the technology at scale.”