Biden issues executive order to accelerate AI infrastructure, data centers in US
President Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday that aims to accelerate the build-out of large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States while considering both national security and climate change. The order directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy to lease federal sites where the private sector can construct frontier AI infrastructure at speed and scale.
In a statement released by the White House, President Biden emphasized the importance of advancing AI infrastructure in America to enhance economic competitiveness, national security, AI safety, and clean energy. He highlighted the potential of cutting-edge AI to improve lives by contributing to disease research and addressing the impacts of climate change. However, Biden stressed the need for responsible development to protect environmental standards and ensure clean air and water.
The executive order is designed to ensure that the infrastructure required for advanced AI operations, such as large-scale data centers and clean power facilities, can be built rapidly and efficiently in the United States. This initiative aims to accelerate the clean energy transition in a manner that is sustainable and respectful to local communities, without imposing additional costs on American families.
President Biden underscored the national security implications of building AI infrastructure domestically, emphasizing the importance of preventing dependence on other countries for access to powerful AI tools. The order will facilitate the safe and secure development of AI, harness AI for national security purposes, and safeguard against adversaries accessing critical systems.
Vice President Harris also highlighted the opportunity to advance American leadership in clean energy technology through the significant power requirements of large-scale AI operations. By leveraging federal resources to expedite and scale AI operations in the U.S., the administration aims to secure global leadership in AI, benefiting the economy, society, and national security for future generations.
Under the new rules, the Departments of Defense and Energy will identify federal sites for private companies to build AI data centers through competitive solicitations. Developers selected to build on government sites will be responsible for all construction and operational costs, including providing clean power generation to meet the data centers’ capacity needs.
The executive order also mandates the construction of AI data centers on federal sites with public labor agreements and supports the development of small and medium-sized AI companies. The order includes a study on the impact of AI data centers on electricity prices and provides technical assistance to state utility commissions on clean energy tariff designs.
In conclusion, President Biden’s executive order on AI infrastructure underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing technological innovation while prioritizing national security and environmental sustainability. By accelerating the development of AI infrastructure in the United States, the administration aims to maintain America’s leadership in AI, promote economic growth, and address the challenges of the future.
