The United States currently leads the global competition in artificial intelligence with major companies such as OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Meta investing heavily in advanced technology. However, OpenAI has warned that the country risks losing this lead without urgent expansion of its electricity generation capacity.
In a recent blog post shared with US leaders, OpenAI called for a bold national commitment to strengthen the country’s energy systems. The company said China’s rapid power growth threatens to shift AI dominance away from the US.
OpenAI reported that China added four hundred twenty nine gigawatts of new electricity capacity last year. In comparison, the US added only fifty one gigawatts. The company described this widening difference as an electron gap that could harm the nation’s economic strength and national security.
OpenAI said the US must add at least one hundred gigawatts of power every year which is nearly double the current rate. It explained that fast growing AI data centres require large amounts of electricity to operate.
A statement from OpenAI said, “Electricity is not simply a utility. It is a strategic asset that is critical to building the AI infrastructure that will secure our leadership on the most consequential technology since electricity itself.”
OpenAI is also working on its own infrastructure expansion through Project Stargate. This five hundred billion dollar initiative involves the creation of advanced data centres across Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The company said the project can help boost US industry and economic growth.
OpenAI predicts that a one trillion dollar national investment in AI infrastructure could raise the country’s GDP growth by over five percent in three years.
The company also highlighted the need for more skilled workers. It estimates that up to twenty percent of skilled trade professionals including electricians, mechanics, metalworkers, plumbers, and carpenters will be needed for future AI infrastructure work. To support this, OpenAI plans to launch a new training and jobs platform in 2026.
AI energy needs growing
The demand for electricity continues to rise due to powerful computing requirements inside AI data centres. OpenAI said this trend shows that reliable power is becoming as important as fuel once was.
The company warned that the US power grid is already under heavy pressure and major upgrades are needed to avoid shortages.
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