OpenAI hosted influencers at a luxury retreat with beekeeping. The internet backlash was swift.

At one end of the table, a glowing OpenAI logo completed the scene. Over the weekend, several influencers posted videos from what they called "OpenAI Summer Camp," held at Wildflower Farms, a luxury resort in New York's Hudson Valley. Weekend room rates typically exceed $2,000 a night. According to attendees' posts, the itinerary included meals, lessons about OpenAI's latest tools, and outdoor activities, including a session with a beekeeper. ADVERTISEMENT Creators also received OpenAI-branded merchandise, including canvas bags and jars of honey. The idyllic retreat did not charm everyone online. Summer camp with @OpenAI in upstate New York. Lifes crazy. pic.twitter.com/f5KVn6GNws Erik Cupsa (@swerikcodes) July 31, 2026 ADVERTISEMENT OpenAI told Business Insider the retreat was an education-focused event tied to the recent launch of ChatGPT Work and part of its broader effort to market practical uses for its products through creators. "Creators are an important part of our community and how people get information and learn about our products today," a spokesperson said. OpenAI's top-end getaway also comes as the AI labs attempt to turn around their public image. The firms which have been quickly constructing data centers across the US have faced backlash amid anxiety about rising energy prices, water use, and potential job displacement. ADVERTISEMENT But this weekend's pastoral content quickly drew criticism on social media. Many questioned why a company associated with several energy- and water-intensive data centers was courting influencers at a nature-focused resort. "This is the proper context to use the word dystopian," one Redditor wrote. Across X, Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram, commenters accused OpenAI of "greenwashing," while others criticized creators for promoting AI without discussing concerns about the technology's environmental impact. Journalist Taylor Lorenz wrote on X that creators attending the event were getting "cancelled." ADVERTISEMENT Influencers are getting cancelled for going on the OpenAI brand summer camp weekend trip, which is very interesting bc I have not seen similar criticism towards influencers who have been attending Anthropic events (which also works with the Dept of War). Have I just missed it? pic.twitter.com/rWsJQf8CaG Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) August 3, 2026 None of the creators contacted by Business Insider responded to requests for comment. OpenAI did not answer whether attendees on this particular trip were paid, whether OpenAI covered their travel or accommodations, or whether they were expected to post. "We welcome healthy debate as AI becomes more prevalent, and we value creators who choose to engage with us, attend our events, ask tough questions, and learn alongside everyone else," a spokesperson said. "We'll continue to value them, just as we do traditional media and other marketing partners." ADVERTISEMENT Grace McCarrick, one of the creators who attended, posted a video saying she wanted to make a series after "being in the room with people who work on this product." She recorded the video before a day of coding and while preparing a bath. "The irony of running a bath at a ChatGPT brand trip," one commenter said. @graceforpersonalityhires I genuinely cant believe I was on @ChatGPT original sound - grace mccarrick She's since posted two videos responding to negative comments. ADVERTISEMENT "My morals were not compromised," she said in one video. "I am supremely excited about AI and the opportunities it offers to our species. Full stop." OpenAI is not the first company to learn that an influencer getaway can generate scrutiny.