OpenAI’s first-ever influencer brand trip sparked online backlash over the weekend as tensions over AI use continue. OpenAI took a handful of influencers to a luxury retreat in upstate New York for “Summer Club,” where creators enjoyed farm-to-table dinners, wellness activities like beekeeping, and classes on using OpenAI products. Many comments criticized attendees, with one influencer facing insinuations she sold her soul “for a nice hotel room” and questions about AI data centers’ environmental impact. Another was asked if she would film a get-ready-with-me video about touring a data center. A third influencer deleted her trip video after TechCrunch reached out. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the event was education-led, aiming to teach creators how to use the newly released ChatGPT Work, and that creators are an important part of the community. He welcomed healthy debate as AI becomes more prevalent. In February, Vanity Fair reported OpenAI hired “celebrity whisperer” Charles Porch as its first VP of global creative partnerships; Porch planned a “listening tour” to learn about people’s relationships with AI tools. OpenAI is not the only AI lab working with influencers, as Anthropic reportedly hosted an influencer brand trip.