Photos: Protesters hit the streets during AI industry event in Montreal

As thousands of artificial intelligence industry people gathered in Montreal along with federal AI Minister Evan Solomon on Wednesday, opponents of AI held a protest outside. Anti-AI protester Jorick Ysaak Malletter uses chalk to post a message on the sidewalk prior to the march. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Anti-AI protesters say AI-generated flyers and internet memes aren’t worth the consumption of fresh water by the industry. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Anti-AI protesters march on René-Lévesque Blvd. in Montreal Wednesday. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Anti-AI protesters march through the streets. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Anti-AI protesters march on René-Lévesque Blvd. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette A riot police officer stops anti-AI protesters from crossing René-Lévesque Blvd. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Anti-AI protest in Montreal. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Anti-AI protest in Montreal. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Editor’s Picks Meet Scientist AI, Montreal’s bid to ‘leapfrog’ ChatGPT without killing us all Montreal building vandalized, covered with graffiti referencing AI, police say