Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Yesterday, Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, who chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led a hearing to discuss the implications of AI technology in the US. The session, titled "Converting Energy into Intelligence: the Future of AI Technology, Human Discovery, and American Global Competitiveness," addressed the role of artificial intelligence across various sectors, including energy, telecommunications, and healthcare.
Chairman Guthrie stressed the importance of a regulatory framework that cultivates innovation while producing the necessary energy to support AI development. He described it as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure the United States wins the race to AI dominance."
Congressman John Joyce noted the potential of AI to transform all aspects of life, from data analysis to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of the United States leading in AI technology. "AI is the defining technology of the next several decades," Joyce explained, citing its integration into medical devices and its potential to streamline administrative tasks.
Ohio Congressman Troy Balderson highlighted central Ohio's significant data center presence, underscoring recent investments in energy infrastructure to meet growing demands. Balderson emphasized the need for collaboration between tech companies and power providers to secure the required power.
Dr. Schmidt, recalling his tenure at Google, talked about the extensive investments in data centers and stressed the importance of state-level strategies to solve energy challenges. "The best thing to do is to have a strategy within your state where everybody agrees to solve the energy power problem," he suggested.
Congressman Gabe Evans from Colorado discussed his district's diverse energy portfolio, mentioning a major backlog in obtaining gas turbines, which may delay coal plant retirements. Dr. Schmidt responded by indicating that market demand has driven the costs of natural gas plants up and warned that these delays could hinder AI competitiveness.
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