Trump's AI-focused energy strategy outlined
Two weeks ago, China mandated that new data centers in "national hub nodes" must use at least 80% green electricity, signaling a commitment to sustainable AI. Meanwhile, across the Pacific, the Trump administration released an AI Action Plan last week, described as a blueprint to "win the AI race."
In the US, the AI strategy puts it in direct contrast with China's. While China's plan emphasizes a commitment to "sustainable AI" and addressing "energy and environmental issues," the US AI Action Plan is an ode to deregulation and a confirmation of the administration's preferential treatment of fossil fuels over renewables.
The Chinese plan also calls for establishing a global AI cooperation organization in collaboration with the United Nations, positioning China as a proponent of multilateral, global public goods approach to AI, in contrast to the US's America-first, America-led approach. However, there are no indications that the current US administration would be willing to entertain a multilateral approach to AI.
China's embrace of clean energy for AI is part of its strategy to contrast with the US and potentially take advantage of tensions between the US and the European Union. On the other hand, the US AI Action Plan aims to sidestep environmental impact studies by creating "categorical exclusions" for qualifying projects, including big data centers, supporting energy infrastructure, and certain dispatchable baseload energy sources.
A directive requires all wind and solar projects on federal lands to be reviewed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, which is seen as an attempt to hamstring the clean energy industry. In contrast, China's plan acknowledges the need to upgrade and stabilize the grid, but suggests doing so by delaying the decommissioning of power plants and embracing new technologies like geothermal, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion, with no mention of renewables.
Matt Pearl, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' strategic technologies program, believes that a multilateral approach could potentially benefit the US as well, by maximizing US influence. He also noted that China's willingness to learn from other countries, including the US, could be a competitive advantage, as it was during its industrialization.
Lastly, President Trump signed three related executive orders focusing on AI policy priorities: promoting the export of American AI technology, accelerating federal permitting of data center infrastructure, and preventing the federal government's use of "woke" AI. These orders further highlight the US's focus on AI as a tool for economic and technological dominance.
In summary, while both China and the US have unveiled AI Action Plans, their approaches differ significantly, particularly in terms of green energy and international cooperation. As the race for AI dominance continues, it remains to be seen how these strategies will evolve and interact in the global arena.
