By Gloria Ogbonna
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) said the United States must rapidly expand its energy production and infrastructure in order to outpace China and secure dominance in the global artificial intelligence race. Speaking during an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday, McCormick described AI as a transformative force that could surpass even the Industrial Revolution in scope and speed.
In an interview with host Matthew Boyle, McCormick argued that artificial intelligence represents “the most profound change in our lifetimes,” and possibly the most significant shift in human history. He explained that AI is poised to reshape nearly every aspect of modern life — from national defense and economic productivity to the nature of work and social structures.
“This is bigger and moving faster than the Industrial Revolution,” McCormick said, emphasizing that AI will fundamentally alter how wars are fought, how businesses operate, and how individuals contribute to the economy.
Rather than attempting to halt technological advancement, McCormick said policymakers must focus on guiding it responsibly. “You can’t stop it,” he stated. “So, you have to guide it. You have to put guardrails on it.” He stressed that ensuring America remains at the forefront of AI innovation is critical, particularly in what he described as an “existential battle” with China. According to McCormick, if China gains the upper hand, it could shape the rules governing the global economy and international systems for decades to come.
Central to winning that competition, he said, is energy leadership. McCormick argued that AI innovation — particularly the development and operation of large-scale data centers — requires enormous amounts of reliable power. Without significantly increasing domestic energy production, the United States risks falling behind.
To address this challenge, McCormick recently introduced legislation titled the “Unlock America’s Energy and Jobs Act.” The bill aims to streamline the federal permitting process, allowing energy projects and supporting infrastructure to move forward more quickly. He said this would accelerate the construction of facilities needed to power AI-driven data centers and other high-tech operations.
The senator also acknowledged ongoing debates in Pennsylvania and across the country about the local impact of large data centers. Communities have raised concerns about environmental strain, water usage, and whether these projects deliver tangible economic benefits. McCormick said technology companies and hyperscalers must take responsibility by ensuring they contribute more energy to the grid than they consume, safeguard water resources, and invest meaningfully in local tax bases.
At the same time, he pointed to the potential economic upside. McCormick said data centers could create thousands of jobs — from construction and skilled trades to long-term operational roles. He cited his hometown of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, as an example of how smaller communities could benefit from AI-related investment.
“These projects can create thousands of jobs building and running data centers,” he said, adding that such opportunities could revitalize towns and strengthen regional economies.
Still, McCormick acknowledged that AI will bring significant workforce disruption. While skilled labor positions such as welders, pipe fitters, steam fitters, and electricians are currently in high demand — especially to build out energy and data infrastructure — many white-collar jobs may be vulnerable to automation in the coming years.
“There’s going to be a lot of disruption,” he said, noting that some occupations will inevitably disappear. However, he emphasized that the demand for skilled trades in Pennsylvania currently exceeds supply, creating what he described as “great jobs for decades to come.”
Even with those opportunities, McCormick said public anxiety surrounding AI is understandable. The rapid pace of technological change, combined with geopolitical competition and workforce uncertainty, requires thoughtful leadership. “It creates anxiety, and with good reason,” he said. “So we have to manage it well.”
Ultimately, McCormick framed the expansion of American energy production not just as an economic issue, but as a national security imperative — one he believes will determine whether the United States or China leads the next era of global innovation.
Source Breitbrat
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