The construction of artificial intelligence infrastructure is poised to become the largest economic investment in U.S. history, far exceeding investments in other major infrastructure projects such as railroads, highway systems, and internet infrastructure.
According to the latest forecast by economist Stijn van Nieuwerburgh of the Brookings Institution, total investment in data centers and related AI infrastructure is projected to reach $10.3 trillion between 2025 and 2032. This is equivalent to a staggering 3.6% of average annual GDP. Never before has the U.S. economy been so reliant on the construction of a single industry.
This investment is transforming every aspect of the economy, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and new billionaires. It also carries enormous risks, as a large portion of it is built on a debt foundation. A sudden economic slowdown could have a devastating impact on the U.S. economy.
