Climate protesters disrupt Seattle AI Week opening over data center concerns

The event coincided with Microsoft's announcement of voluntary buyouts for about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as it invests tens of billions in data centers and AI infrastructure. Business leaders, including former Gov. Chris Gregoire, pushed for Washington to stay competitive in AI, citing an Everett AI permitting pilot that could cut accessory dwelling unit permit waits from 252 days to 90. Gov. Bob Ferguson's senior policy advisor Beau Perschbacher said the state's data center work group found no harmed Washington community and that water use is typical for industrial users, though electricity demand is a major challenge. State Sen. Marko Liias said data centers must meet stringent expectations including adding clean energy to the grid. OpenAI's Mattie Zazueta said the industry needs to better show AI's benefits, noting the company runs AI literacy workshops and opened an expanded Bellevue office in March.