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OpenAI's First Influencer Luxury Trip Draws Backlash Over AI Ethics

ai-technology · 2026-08-03

Over the weekend, OpenAI organized its inaugural influencer brand trip, dubbed "Summer Club," at an upscale retreat in upstate New York. The event included wellness activities, farm-to-table dinners, and sessions on OpenAI products, such as ChatGPT Work. While influencers posted visually appealing content, the online response was predominantly negative, with critics accusing them of "selling their souls" and raising concerns about AI data centers, especially regarding OpenAI's $500 billion agreement in Ohio and its $200 million contract with the Department of Defense. Following the backlash, one influencer removed her video. OpenAI's spokesperson, Drew Pusateri, characterized the trip as educational. The company also appointed Charles Porch as VP of global creative partnerships, signaling an expanded influencer approach. Other AI labs have held similar events but encountered less criticism.

Key facts

  • OpenAI hosted its first influencer brand trip, 'Summer Club', in upstate New York over the weekend.
  • The trip included farm-to-table dinners, wellness activities like beekeeping, and classes on OpenAI products.
  • Influencers posted about the trip on TikTok and Instagram, but many comments were critical.
  • Critics accused influencers of 'selling their souls' and questioned AI data centers' environmental impact.
  • OpenAI is reportedly set to strike a $500 billion deal to build a data center in Ohio.
  • OpenAI has a $200 million contract with the Department of Defense.
  • OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the trip was education-led and aimed to teach creators how to use ChatGPT Work.
  • OpenAI hired Charles Porch, former VP of global partnerships at Instagram, as its first VP of global creative partnerships.
  • Anthropic and Microsoft Copilot have also hosted influencer events, but none sparked as much backlash.
  • One influencer deleted her trip video after backlash, and another expressed surprise at the controversy on LinkedIn.

Entities

Artists

  • Charles Porch

Institutions

  • OpenAI
  • TechCrunch
  • Vanity Fair
  • Anthropic
  • Microsoft Copilot
  • Instagram
  • Department of Defense

Locations

  • upstate New York
  • Ohio

Sources