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Energy, compute and security emerge as central policy questions for U.S. AI leadership
Summary
Witnesses told the committee that sustaining U.S. AI competitiveness requires large new data‑center energy capacity, secure access to advanced chips, national standards and voluntary testing frameworks such as an AI Safety Institute, and coordination of private investments with federal infrastructure planning.
Committee members and witnesses focused questions about the scale and logistics of AI infrastructure, and how federal policy can encourage private investments while protecting national security.
Chairman Babin cited a private initiative he called “Stargate” and characterized it as “promises up to $500,000,000,000 in private sector investments for artificial intelligence infrastructure.” Committee members asked witnesses how Congress and agencies should respond.
Sam Hammond told the panel that compute and energy are strategic advantages: “Large AI data centers will soon need on-site energy generation on the order of gigawatts,” he said, adding that the country must confront permitting, utility rules and environmental laws that intersect with the siting of large facilities. Hammond recommended using federal lands and special zones to accelerate deployment and suggested the Defense Production Act might be a tool to speed critical components.
Witnesses also discussed the AI Safety Institute model. Dr. Walter Copan described the value of an institute that produces independent measurement science and testing methodologies, and Dr. Sudeep Parikh said standards and voluntary evaluation build trust in emerging tools. Several members signaled support for legislation to authorize testing, voluntary “seals” or other evaluation, and for funding the AI Safety Institute through reliable appropriations or a public‑private foundation.
Why it matters: witnesses argued compute, chips and energy are concrete, sortable advantages. They urged export-control enforcement on advanced chips, coordinated permitting and grid planning, and a sectoral, standards-based approach that pairs private innovation with trusted federal testing and measurement.
Requests and next steps: members asked for more detailed plans describing how to scope compute corridors, energy siting, export-control gaps and funding vehicles for testing and validation. Witnesses offered to provide technical follow-ups and papers documenting energy, permitting and standards options.
