# Goldman Sachs conference highlights AI backlash, broadband competition, and Disney's free tier

Digest AI · Business & Funding · published 2026-09-09T21:37:34Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/goldman-sachs-conference-highlights-ai-backlash-broadband-competition-and

## Summary

At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference, industry leaders addressed growing public resistance to artificial intelligence and data center expansion. CoreWeave CEO Mike Intrator acknowledged that the industry has failed to adequately communicate the benefits of AI infrastructure, noting that public fear stems from the rapid pace of technological change rather than the physical facilities themselves. This sentiment was reinforced by the resignation of Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who warned that the race toward superintelligence poses an existential risk to humanity by the end of the decade.

In the payments sector, Visa CEO Ryan McInerney reported that consumer trust in agentic commerce remains low, causing the adoption of AI-driven payment systems to progress slower than anticipated. Meanwhile, broadband executives from Comcast and Charter Communications discussed intensifying competitive pressures from fixed wireless and satellite providers like Starlink. Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong noted that irrational pricing competition is driving customer losses, leading to a significant drop in stock prices for both cable giants.

On the media front, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston confirmed plans to introduce a free, ad-supported tier for Disney+. This strategy aims to retain users who might otherwise cancel subscriptions and serves as an entry point for a broader integrated ecosystem that includes shopping, parks, and gaming. The move reflects a wider industry trend toward leveraging advertising revenue to offset rising subscription costs and increase user engagement frequency.

## Key points

- CoreWeave CEO admits industry failed to explain AI benefits, fueling public backlash against data centers.
- Visa CEO reports slow agentic commerce adoption due to lack of consumer trust in AI payment agents.
- Disney plans a free ad-supported Disney+ tier to retain users and integrate shopping and IP experiences.

## Why it matters

The AI backlash signals a critical trust deficit that could hinder infrastructure expansion and adoption. Simultaneously, the shift toward free ad-supported streaming and the struggle of broadband providers against satellite and 5G alternatives reshape the media and telecom revenue models.

## Sources

1. [Conversations from Goldman Sachs' Communacopia: AI blowback, broadband and Disney's free tier](https://cnbc.com/2026/09/09/goldman-sachs-communcacopia-technology-conference-ai.html) (CNBC Technology, 2026-09-09)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Goldman Sachs conference highlights AI backlash, broadband competition, and Disney's free tier", 9 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/goldman-sachs-conference-highlights-ai-backlash-broadband-competition-and

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