AI and Data Centers

Just want to say a few words on this important and hot topic.  The first thing everyone should be aware of is that the US is incredibly vulnerable to abuse of its free and democratic society and communication channels by its adversaries.  China in particular, but Russia, Iran, North Korea and others, do everything they can to damage our society and country.  This includes funding extremist groups of all stripes and promoting discord in every possible media outlet, including social media.  This has occurred for decades and the US simply hasn’t fought back or even fully investigated or exposed it.  Treasury Secretary Bessent says he is doing so now and if so, he needs to quickly make sure everyone understands how deep and pernicious the influence campaign is.  And it has been successful in damaging us.

So anything you read or hear about AI and data centers often is affected by these perverse sources.  Artificial intelligence is another currently overhyped, but ultimately useful technology.  It is following the same path as widespread use of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  A lot of money is being poured into artificial intelligence models and that requires immense computing power which requires a lot of electricity and some water.  These are large businesses that create jobs–construction jobs, operational jobs, all kinds of support jobs.  They pay a lot of property taxes.  There were fears that the internet would cause all kinds of job losses, but instead widespread use created more jobs, generally high-paying ones.  The internet benefited everyone by increasing productivity.  It has drive huge economic gains for the US.

People are worried about electricity use and cost but most of these data centers are bringing their own power sources.  Water use has been moderate and is getting more efficient.  The reality is that if the US wants to reshore manufacturing and wants its businesses to continue to be innovative and drive a growing economy, we need AI and its data centers.  But, again, aided by China, we have a group of luddites who are opposed to AI and to data centers.  Morons like millionaire Bernie Sanders and semi-morons like Steve Bannon are leading the charge to put the US in a deep competitive hole.  They use every lie possible, as usual.  China applauds their efforts, as it wants to get ahead of the US in AI, and it wants the US dependent on it.

Fortunately, construction unions, businesses and cooler heads are fighting back.  Whatever the potential dangers of AI, and there are some, we cannot afford to fall behind.  We need the productivity gains, we need the well-paying jobs.  It will ultimately help us all.  So please spread the word and tell people don’t fall for the China-inspired opposition to AI and data centers.