NSW government ‘absolutely thrilled’ to welcome OpenAI ... until someone mentioned the Terminator films
Internal NSW government emails reveal staff concerns regarding the arrival of OpenAI in Sydney, with some joking about dystopian 'Skynet' scenarios. Despite these private reservations, the government remains eager to court major tech investment.
Why it matters
The story highlights the tension between government efforts to attract global tech giants and the underlying public and internal anxiety regarding AI's societal impact.
OpenAI has partnered with datacentre operator NextDC to build a multibillion dollar computing cluster in Sydney. The NSW environment minister, Penny Sharpe, says the city is ‘a highly desirable location’. OpenAI has partnered with datacentre operator NextDC to build a multibillion dollar computing cluster in Sydney. The NSW environment minister, Penny Sharpe, says the city is ‘a highly desirable location’. Technology NSW government ‘absolutely thrilled’ to welcome OpenAI ... until someone mentioned the Terminator films Emails sent between MP Anoulak Chanthivong’s staff take cautious approach to AI giant arriving in Sydney – despite the government’s encouragement
The article reports on internal documents objectively, balancing the government's economic goals with the staff's humorous but telling concerns.
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