# Hundreds attend pro‑AI party in DC to counter data center backlash

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-28T08:40:01Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/hundreds-attend-proai-party-in-dc-to-counter-data-center-backlash

## Summary

A pro‑AI gathering took place on September 26 at PubKey, a cryptocurrency‑themed bar in downtown Washington, DC. Roughly a thousand people RSVP’d, and hundreds turned up in the rain to celebrate the infrastructure that many Americans oppose.

Organizers Jonas Du of Pirate Wires, Ed Tarnowski of the R Street Institute, and Casey Given of Young Voices framed the event as a counterprogram to what they called a “bipartisan psychosis” over data centers. The party mixed drinks, a DJ, and political posters, and featured a white paper from the Open Source AI Foundation that promoted a national ballot initiative for data centers.

Attendees ranged from AI‑driven company executives and engineers to federal workers, trade‑group representatives, journalists, and a bitcoin‑mining owner. Protesters in cocktail attire interrupted the event, but were escorted offstage by security and other guests. The event highlighted the clash between AI infrastructure advocates and those concerned about environmental impact and job loss.

## Key points

- Organizers include Jonas Du, Ed Tarnowski, and Casey Given
- A white paper from the Open Source AI Foundation was displayed at the event

## Why it matters

The gathering underscores the growing polarization over data center construction, a key component of AI infrastructure, and signals how political framing can influence public opinion and policy decisions.

## Sources

1. [Hundreds of people attended a pro-AI party in DC on September 26, in what the organizers called a counterprogram to the "bipartisan psychosis" over data centers](https://washingtonsun.com/national/ai-bros-are-partying-data-center) (washingtonsun.com, 2026-09-28)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Hundreds attend pro‑AI party in DC to counter data center backlash", 28 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/hundreds-attend-proai-party-in-dc-to-counter-data-center-backlash

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