Panelists: energy shortages and AI are reshaping where Washington can grow jobs

Panelists at the Rewire conference in Tacoma said energy availability and AI are among the most important determinants of where companies choose to locate and grow in Washington.

Jo Winn, introduced onstage as director of the Washington Department of Commerce, told the audience that when businesses consider site selection, energy often tops the list: "If we can build more energy...we would win," the director said, arguing that power availability is a decisive factor for firms that need reliable and scalable electricity.

Rachel Smith said the AI revolution is already affecting investment and operations and that firms and workers will need to adapt. "The AI revolution is here," she said, calling it disruptive but also a source of productivity gains and new business activity. The director added that roughly "23% of the AI talent in The United States is here in Washington state," pointing to local strengths such as AI House and public–private partnerships.

Mayor Dana Ralph emphasized that some sectors—warehousing and advanced manufacturing—are less susceptible to displacement from AI and that cities should invest in skilled trades to protect local employment opportunities. Panelists also discussed narrow, community‑oriented approaches to siting large energy‑ or data‑intensive facilities—citing past state efforts to admit data centers with labor and climate conditions attached.

Speakers urged policymakers to pair energy investments (including conversations about nontraditional sources) with workforce training and to avoid blanket policy that creates unintended winners and losers. The discussion closed with the view that AI can both displace and create jobs and that Washington’s existing talent and ecosystem provide opportunities if energy and training gaps are addressed.