Sen. McCormick Urges Energy Expansion to Compete with China in AI
Senator Dave McCormick from Pennsylvania recently emphasized the need for the United States to diversify its energy sources to outpace China and take the lead in artificial intelligence development during his appearance on Breitbart News Saturday.
He remarked, “[AI is] The most profound change in our lifetime. I think this may be the most profound change in human history, which is a big deal. But think about the Industrial Revolution. What is happening now is bigger and faster than that, and will change the way wars are fought. It’s going to change the nature of work, productivity, and society,” while speaking with Matthew Boyle, the Washington Bureau Chief of Breitbart News.
McCormick expressed his perspective that we are witnessing an unprecedented transformation. “You can’t stop it. So you’ve got to guide it. You’ve got to put guardrails on it. You’ve got to make sure the United States is always in the lead because we’re in an existential battle with China,” he stated. He added that if China takes the lead, it could dominate the global economy and set international standards, which is something the U.S. must avoid.
He highlighted that “leadership” in AI is crucial, and this aligns closely with leading energy production. Recently, he introduced the Unlock America’s Energy and Jobs Act in Congress, designed to expedite the permitting process and promote the swift construction of energy infrastructures like data centers.
He reflected on discussions across the nation regarding data centers, mentioning concerns about community impacts. “We need to ensure they don’t harm the community,” he said, emphasizing that tech investors must balance energy consumption with environmental protection and local investment.
Despite worries regarding job displacement due to artificial intelligence, McCormick sees potential positives. He stated that data centers could create thousands of new jobs, particularly in his home area of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, which has about 10,000 residents. “Building and operating a data center creates thousands of jobs. So one of the important things is making sure the community benefits from that,” he said.
He acknowledged that significant shifts in the workforce are likely to occur, marking a transition that might lead to the loss of many white-collar jobs. However, he anticipated a rise in demand for skilled trades like welders, electricians, and pipe fitters, all essential for constructing energy infrastructure and data centers. “Ironically, at least in Pennsylvania, we don’t have enough skilled labor to meet the demand for all this investment. So, this is really interesting because these are going to be great jobs for decades to come,” he explained. But he noted that such changes can understandably cause anxiety, underlining the necessity for careful management.
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