Microsoft, AI Leaders Urge Senate to Speed Energy Permitting, Expand Data Access

Top executives from Microsoft, OpenAI, AMD, and other AI leaders urged the U.S. Senate to modernize and expand the nation's infrastructure to maintain competitiveness in the global AI race, particularly against China. Microsoft President Brad Smith highlighted the urgent need to streamline federal permitting processes, especially for data centers, where current regulations delay construction and hinder scaling AI capabilities. They emphasized that the U.S. infrastructure, much of it decades old, is inadequate to support the surging electricity demands from AI technologies, reshoring manufacturing, and electrification. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that as AI systems improve, demand for chips, data, energy, and supercomputers will increase significantly, requiring comprehensive government support. Industry leaders also called for increased investment in workforce development, research, and access to government data sets to accelerate AI innovation while advocating for democratic values in global AI adoption. The testimony collectively underscored the need for coordinated federal action to ensure America remains a leader in AI technology amid rapid global advancements.