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Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel said he is optimistic about artificial intelligence, but warned that public backlash to the technology is building momentum and could slow adoption. Speaking on “Lenny’s Podcast,” Spiegel cautioned that consumers may not embrace AI as quickly as technology leaders expect, potentially leading to “a huge amount of societal pushback” as people weigh its effects on jobs and energy costs.
Spiegel said the AI conversation is often dominated by technology itself, while underestimating the role of human comfort and willingness to adopt new tools. He argued that technology leaders may assume people will “just blindly adopt new technology as it comes out,” rather than considering how AI impacts employment and everyday expenses.
Spiegel’s comments align with concerns raised by other technology leaders. In March, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said AI was becoming less popular, citing worries connected to layoffs and rising energy demand.
Public sentiment also appears mixed. A March NBC News poll of registered voters in the United States found that only 26% reported a favorable view of AI. The poll indicated that the only topics with lower favorability scores were the Democratic Party and Iran.
Even as concerns grow, Snap is continuing to invest heavily in AI across its platform. The company has integrated AI into Snapchat, including personalized chatbots and AI-powered image tools.
Snap has also expanded its AI-related partnerships. In November, the company signed a multiyear $400 million deal with Perplexity AI to roll out a search tool.
Snap’s AI push has coincided with job cuts. In mid-April, the company said it would lay off 16% of its global workforce.
In an internal memo obtained by Business Insider, Spiegel pointed to AI-driven productivity gains as part of Snap’s broader shift. He wrote that the company had already seen “small squads leveraging AI tools to drive meaningful progress across several important initiatives,” and added that “change of this magnitude and at this speed is never easy,” noting it “will not be seamless.”
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
