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Offices of Montreal-Based Artificial Intelligence Institute Vandalized, One Arrested
Police say about 10 people smashed windows and sprayed anti-AI graffiti on two buildings as 6,500 attendees gathered for the summit.
On Tuesday night, vandals smashed windows and spray-painted graffiti reading "Burn the Data Centers" at Montreal offices of Mila, an artificial intelligence institute, and nearby software company ServiceNow in the Mile Ex neighbourhood.
The vandalism occurred just hours before the All In AI summit begins Wednesday in Montreal, with the sold-out event expecting over 6,500 experts and industry stakeholders at the Palais des congrès.
Montreal police spokesperson Manuel Couture said officers discovered the damage around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday; police suspect a group of about 10 individuals participated and arrested a 25-year-old woman near the scene.
Investigators are working to identify other suspects by reviewing surveillance footage and gathering evidence, as the SPVM continues its investigation into the incident.
Prominent computer scientist Yoshua Bengio, Mila's founder, is set to speak at the summit, while ServiceNow vice president of AI research Valérie Becaert is also scheduled to appear at the event.
About ten vandals broke windows and painted graffiti denouncing artificial intelligence on the front of a commercial building housing the Mila Institute, in the Montreal district of Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie Tuesday night.