Published 7:07 am Wednesday, September 9, 2026 As the pressure mounts—with the combination of misinformation emanating from China and the upcoming midterm elections—it is worth surveying where the debate over America’s data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure actually stands. This column elucidated this issue earlier this year, arguing that America’s growing resistance to data-center development could ultimately benefit our greatest strategic competitor: China. But now the argument has become even more compelling. Recall that Americans have always been builders. America built railroads that connected a continent, highways that connected a nation, power grids that brought electricity to rural America, and communications networks that transformed the world. Every generation has had its critics who warned that development was too expensive, too disruptive, or too dangerous. But Americans understood an essential truth: if you want to lead, you have to build. Data centers, however, often look like enormous warehouses sitting behind security fences rather than building projects. Yet they are the physical infrastructure powering the digital economy—and increasingly, artificial intelligence. The United States is engaged in a strategic competition with China for AI supremacy. If America falls behind, the consequences won’t simply be measured in stock prices or corporate profits. AI will affect economic productivity, scientific research, cybersecurity, military…
*This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed to such third-party provider(s).
