US Tech Leaders Urge Congress for AI Infrastructure, Energy Support Amid China Race

During a Senate Committee hearing on AI leadership, tech executives including OpenAI's Sam Altman and Microsoft President Brad Smith urged Congress to adopt light-touch regulations and invest heavily in AI infrastructure to maintain U.S. competitiveness, particularly against China. They emphasized the urgent need to expand data centers and modernize the electrical grid, highlighting the significant energy demands of AI technology and calling for streamlined federal permitting processes. Smith pointed out that federal wetlands permits currently create the most substantial delays in data center construction, advocating for reforms to accelerate infrastructure development. The leaders also stressed the importance of training a skilled workforce and supporting high-skilled immigration to build and maintain AI capabilities. Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, supported a regulatory approach that prioritizes innovation and warns against Europe's heavy-handed regulations, which they believe have stifled technological growth. Overall, the consensus was that a coordinated national policy fostering innovation and infrastructure investment is critical to securing American leadership in AI.