President Biden signed an executive order aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States, emphasizing the importance of balancing national security and climate change concerns. The order directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy to lease federal sites for private sector development of frontier AI infrastructure.
Biden highlighted the significance of cutting-edge AI in enhancing economic competitiveness, national security, AI safety, and clean energy. The order aims to accelerate the construction of AI infrastructure, including data centers and clean power facilities, within the U.S. to prevent dependency on other countries for AI tools.
Vice President Harris emphasized the opportunity for clean-energy technology advancement through large-scale AI operations, which aligns with the administration's goal of securing global leadership in AI.
The executive order mandates the identification of federal sites for AI data center development, with private companies required to cover construction costs and ensure clean power generation. Public labor agreements will be enforced, and a study on the impact of AI data centers on electricity prices will be conducted.
The Interior Department will identify lands suitable for clean energy development to support AI data centers. The order also addresses the increasing computing power demands for AI models and the need for a broader network of data centers across the country.
In parallel, the Biden administration proposed new restrictions on AI chip exports to safeguard national security interests while supporting global AI advancement. The administration aims to strike a balance between retaining AI leadership in the U.S. and facilitating AI technology access worldwide.
