AI’s elite celebrated in Washington as the public sours on data centers and chatbots

Tech NewsAI’s elite celebrated in Washington as the public sours on data centers and chatbotsThe AI Honors gala gathered generals, lobbyists and administration insiders for a celebration of American AI efforts while acknowledging growing unrest about the technology’s impact on society.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Tammy Haddad speak onstage during the second-annual AI Honors hosted by the Washington AI Network on Wednesday.Paul Morigi / Getty Images for Washington AI NetworkShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 6, 2026, 12:00 PM EDTBy Jared PerloWASHINGTON — Glitz, glamor and geopolitics were on the menu Wednesday night as Washington’s AI elite gathered to mingle and celebrate AI pioneers.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Complete with a red carpet and a dancing humanoid robot, the event could have been mistaken for a science fiction Hollywood premiere. Even as AI becomes an increasing source of tension in communities across America, the night’s honorees were largely optimistic about the trajectory of AI and its potential impact on society.“AI is a transformative technology that’s going to enable so many advancements, from healthcare to engineering to energy production to security,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC News as the night kicked off.“I understand people’s concerns about it, but it’s going to be overwhelmingly positive for our society,” said Wright. “It’s a beautiful event.”Held in the Waldorf Astoria — formerly the Trump International Hotel — steps away from the White House, the Washington AI Honors black-tie gala brought together an eclectic mix of billionaires, elected politicians, industry insiders, lobbyists, administration officials and a handful of scientists to schmooze, snack and exchange information about AI deals and development.The event was organized by the Washington AI N...