Hundreds protest AI expansion outside Montreal’s ALL IN summit
Protesters raise concerns about jobs, surveillance and environmental costs as Canada invests further in AI
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Montreal’s Palais des congrès on Sept. 16 to oppose the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) as thousands of industry leaders met inside for Canada’s largest AI conference.
The demonstration, billed as “All Out Against All In,” began at Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle before marching through downtown Montreal.
Organizers targeted ALL IN, a two-day conference bringing together more than 6,500 AI executives, researchers and government representatives.
“I don't hope for much, but I would like for our government to stop trying to make AI look friendly, stuff with phrases like ‘AI for all,’” protester Jorick-Ysaak Mallette said.
Mallette said concerns about AI extend beyond the art world to employment and the environmental resources required to operate data centres.
“Along with jobs and the economy, AI is also devastating for the ecosystem and water usage,” Mallette said.
Mallette’s concerns reflect recent research. A June report by United Nations University found AI data centres are increasing electricity, water and land use.
Those concerns came as the federal government announced at ALL IN that Canada plans to invest $150 million in Montreal-based non-profit LawZero, alongside a planned €100 million German investment, to develop AI systems designed around safety and transparency.
“I’m concerned about the rapid development of AI and what I would call the dehumanization of the online world, but more and more the offline world as well,” Celeste Trianon said, a Montreal human rights activist.
Trianon said she does not want AI treated as an inevitable part of everyday life.
“I hope we abandon this paradigm around AI and we treat it as a form of specialized technology that has plenty of risks that must be assessed before it is ever deployed.” — Celeste Trianon, protest attendee
“I hope we abandon this paradigm around AI and we treat it as a form of specialized technology that has plenty of risks that must be assessed before it is ever deployed,” Trianon said.
Montreal police have themselves expanded their use of automated technology, acquiring video-analysis software last year capable of searching live or recorded footage using specified attributes. The SPVM says the system assists investigators reviewing large quantities of video.
The demonstration followed vandalism at the Montreal offices of Mila, the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, where windows were smashed, and anti-AI graffiti was painted Tuesday night. Police said roughly 10 people may have been involved and arrested a 25-year-old woman, who was later released as the investigation continued.
About an hour into the demonstration, protesters left Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle and marched through downtown Montreal, reaching the Quartier des spectacles.
Some protesters also raised concerns about AI’s effect on how people think and make decisions.
“It’s making people dependent on AI, giving them all the answers and not thinking,” protester Rita Moguel said. “I hope there's kind of like, at least some conscience.”
Tensions later broke out between demonstrators and police. Officers used chemical irritants to disperse the crowd.
Radio-Canada reported that SPVM arrested a 19-year-old man for alleged armed assault.
The protest crowd was dispersed shortly after 7 p.m. near Jeanne-Mance St. and Ste. Catherine St., beside Place des Arts and Complexe Desjardins, after tensions broke out between demonstrators and police.
