Staff Reports
Most people tend to overlook the importance of infrastructure, only realizing its value when things go south. Imagine a train just sitting there like it’s on a leisurely Sunday stroll, a bridge suddenly pelting into the river, or water invading your basement after a heavy rain. These mishaps remind everyone that infrastructure is the invisible backbone of modern society. But now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, the spotlight is shining brightly on our outdated systems, begging the question: are we prepared for the tech revolution?
Artificial intelligence might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s already taking a hefty toll on the energy demands of our country. By 2028, experts predict that data centers, which house all that important information and AI, will guzzle up 12% of all electricity in the United States. A mere year ago, that number was around 4%. That’s a leap that would make any accountant’s head spin! With this escalating demand, the US power grid is facing a real challenge. The grid simply wasn’t designed to handle the unpredictable energy requirements that come with the territory of advanced technologies.
Last winter gave a small glimpse of what can happen when demand outstrips supply. Elevated blackout risks had many folks staring at their flashlights and wondering if they had enough batteries stored up. The energy-hungry AI systems out there are pulling power like it’s going out of style, while the outdated infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Rebuilding, upgrading, or even constructing new power plants and grid systems takes an eternity in the world of bureaucracy, which is a huge problem when tech companies need power – and they need it now!
In their mad dash to dominate the AI market, some tech companies have taken matters into their own hands. They’ve been building their own power plants to secure a constant electricity supply, ensuring they won’t be left in the dark while awaiting the leisurely pace of government infrastructure projects. These companies are looking to pull energy in amounts that could power a small town, while the existing grid is left scratching its head, trying to figure out how to support this monumental shift in demand.
Meanwhile, other global powers aren’t just taking notice; they’re zooming ahead like a speeding train. For instance, China’s AI sector has been experiencing explosive growth and is investing double what the United States is in new power plants, energy storage, and upgrading grid infrastructure. While the rest of the world races towards a brighter, more powered future, the lingering risk for the US is that if we don’t catch up, we may find ourselves—quite literally—left in the dark. As the race for AI supremacy heats up, the old infrastructure in the US may need a serious makeover before it breaks under all that pressure.
