Jerrod KingeryA new executive order looks to speed the development of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the U.S.
President Joe Biden signed the executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to accelerate the construction of new AI data centers and the needed infrastructure to power them.
This executive order makes federal sites available for both AI data centers and new clean power facilities.
The order tasks the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense (DOD) with selecting three federal sites each that the private sector can lease to build both AI data centers and clean power facilities.
The sites will be selected based on their accessibility to high-capacity transmission infrastructure and minimized adverse effects on communities, the natural environment and commercial resources.
RELATED: Department of Defense launches acritical intelligence tool development program
The DOE and DOD will hold competitive solicitations for proposals to lease these sites for developing, owning and operating large-scale AI infrastructure. Those chosen will be required to pay all costs of building and operating the AI infrastructure so as not to raise energy prices for consumers.
Developers selected will be required to bring online sufficient clean energy generation resources to match the full electricity needs of their data centers. To support these efforts, the Department of Interior will identify lands it manages that are suitable for clean energy that can support data centers.
The order directs the DOE to work with developers on permitting, constructing, financing and planning upgrades to transmission lines near selected sites, as well as facilitating the AI data centers’ connection to the electric grid.
The executive order looks to enable an AI infrastructure buildout that safeguards national security, boosts competitiveness, powers AI with clean energy, enhances safety, keeps consumer costs low, demonstrates responsible technology scaling and fosters a competitive AI ecosystem.
To read the full executive order, click here.
Image by Edgar Oliver from Pixabay
