Officials’ enthusiastic promotion of a landmark investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure didn’t convince hundreds of people, who gathered on Tuesday to protest how it could hurt their communities. 

Sen. Dave McCormick’s Energy and Innovation Summit, which took place at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), welcomed President Donald Trump, Governor Josh Shapiro and other top political and tech stakeholders to announce a $90 billion pledge from the private sector toward data centers and AI investments. The university faced backlash from the community for both Trump’s presence and a lack of focus on the climate consequences of these investments.

“I don’t know about you, but I want water for Pennsylvania homes, families and businesses, not Google, AI or ChatGPT,” environmental policy advocate Lauren Posey said, according to PublicSource.

Leading up to the summit, CMU staff also spoke up, expressing disappointment in the school’s decision to host Trump as he’s denied the climate crisis, sparred with higher education institutions and targeted the legal status of international students. 

“I don’t think it’s aligned with the values of many faculty who work on energy and AI at the university,” Emma Strubell, an assistant professor at CMU’s Language Technology Institute, told WESA.

Here’s a look inside the protest.

A tall, historic building rises in the background with a street and a Carnegie Mellon University billboard about A.I. and energy in the foreground on a sunny day.
A view down Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
Six people walk across a pedestrian bridge toward modern buildings, carrying backpacks and water bottles, on a sunny day.
Students walk through CMU’s campus led by River Sepinuck, communications chair for the Carnegie Mellon University College Democrats (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
A man in a suit and sunglasses talks with two people outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and metal barriers in the background.
River Sepinuck and Avalon Sueiro speak with a Secret Service officer on CMU’s campus about their presence, resulting in a lighthearted exchange (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
A group of people stand on grass in conversation, with trees and buildings in the background and painted protest signs visible behind them.
Avalon Sueiro (far left) and River Sepinuck, president of Carnegie Mellon University’s College Democrats and chair of the group’s communications, speak with CMU Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Gina Casalegno (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
Several people paint the words "SHAME ON" in large white letters on a long, black stone structure outdoors with trees and blue sky in the background.
Carnegie Mellon University faculty begin repainting a wall tagged “Shame on You” by students (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
Smiling woman in a wide-brimmed hat holds an umbrella at a protest; other people hold signs, one partially reading "NAZIS HERE" and another wearing a "FUCK TRUMP" shirt.
A woman smiles under an umbrella during a protest in Shenley Plaza, where demonstrators gathered with signs criticizing former President Donald Trump and far-right extremism (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
A woman in a crowd holds a sign that reads, "Peaceably assembling to save democracy," during a daytime protest.
A woman raises a sign reading “Peaceably assembling to save democracy” while participating in a protest at Schenley Plaza (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
A woman in a white lab coat and sunglasses on her head speaks into a microphone at an outdoor event, with a crowd and umbrellas in the background.
Carrie McDonough, associate professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, speaks during a protest at Schenley Plaza. McDonough warned that “the loss of due process and a loss of U.S. leadership in science isn’t just a loss for our country but for all of mankind.” (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
Three people protest on a city street; one holds a megaphone, another shouts while holding a banner, and the third raises a fist. Trees and cars are visible in the background.
Protesters begin marching toward Forbes Avenue, briefly blocking traffic headed toward Carnegie Mellon University’s campus (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)
A Pittsburgh police officer stands in riot gear facing demonstrators holding signs, including a yellow "Indivisible Pittsburgh" banner, during a protest on a city street.
Pittsburgh police in riot gear stand across from demonstrators with Indivisible Pittsburgh at the intersection of South Craig Street and Forbes Avenue (Caleb McCartney for Next Generation Newsroom)