In a strategic move to bolster the United States' artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced on April 3, 2025, plans to develop AI infrastructure across 16 federal sites. These locations include prominent national laboratories such as Los Alamos, Sandia, and Oak Ridge. The initiative aims to address the escalating computational demands of AI systems, which have significantly increased U.S. data center electricity consumption over the past decade.

The selected sites are considered well-suited for rapid data center construction due to their existing energy infrastructure and the potential for expedited permitting, particularly for nuclear energy projects. The DOE is inviting collaboration from data center and energy developers, with the goal of beginning infrastructure construction to support AI operations by late 2027 through public-private partnerships.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, comparing it to the Manhattan Project. He stated, "The global race for AI dominance is the next Manhattan project, and with President Trump’s leadership and the innovation of our National Labs, the United States can and will win."

The DOE's announcement follows an executive order signed in January by former President Joe Biden, which sought to remove hurdles for AI data center expansion in the U.S. while encouraging these centers to be powered with renewable energy. Although President Donald Trump reversed several of Biden’s AI policies upon returning to office, he endorsed the move to open federal lands for data centers. In January, Trump stated, "I'd like to see federal lands opened up for data centers. I think they're going to be very important."

The rapid growth of AI technologies has led to a significant increase in electricity consumption by data centers. A report released by the DOE late last year estimated that the electricity needed for data centers in the U.S. tripled over the past decade and is projected to double or more, potentially consuming up to 12% of national electricity by the mid-2030s.

The DOE's initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure sustainable and rapid development of AI technologies through strategically located, energy-efficient data centers. By leveraging existing federal lands and infrastructure, the department aims to facilitate the growth of AI capabilities while addressing the associated energy demands.

The DOE is encouraging private-public partnerships and is seeking input from data center developers and energy companies to advance this initiative. The department's statement highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving the goal of beginning infrastructure construction by late 2027.

This initiative builds upon previous efforts to integrate AI into national infrastructure. In July 2024, the DOE announced the Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiative, aiming to harness AI for scientific discovery, energy research, and national security.

The development of AI infrastructure is expected to create jobs and stimulate local economies around the selected sites. Additionally, the emphasis on nuclear energy raises discussions about sustainable and clean energy sources to meet AI's power demands.

As the United States continues to invest in AI infrastructure, the DOE's initiative represents a significant step toward maintaining the nation's leadership in AI development and addressing the associated energy challenges.