Louisiana AI Growth Sparks Debate Over Data Centers and Competition With China

Doug Kelly of the American Edge Project says the U.S. is in a close race with China for AI leadership and argues that building more data centers, power infrastructure, and talent pipelines is critical to staying competitive. He pushed back on concerns about data centers driving up electric bills or draining water supplies, saying many facilities use efficient cooling systems and can help fund needed grid upgrades. Kelly also highlighted AI's potential to improve healthcare, education, and small business growth. He warned that a patchwork of state AI regulations could slow American innovation and called for a national strategy to help the U.S. maintain an edge over China in the rapidly growing AI sector.