Dear editor:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly changing state and local economies in many ways.
Essentially, AI helps small business owners and supports growth in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture.
In the Cowboy State, 65% of small businesses currently use at least one AI platform.
But the foundation on which AI is built relies on data centers. As AI adoption increases and the digital economy grows, having the right infrastructure is essential to support this progress.
This infrastructure encompasses everything from data centers to grid resilience and modernization, as well as energy access and other related services.
Across the country, across the state, and around the globe, economies are racing to invest in data centers and AI infrastructure, bringing jobs and growth to local and state economies.
Recently, the city of Cheyenne was the latest to announce the development of a major data center.
This will lead to future investments from related industries and generate immediate impacts through direct job creation and economic activity.
AI is here to stay. It's helping small businesses grow, driving economic growth and transforming sectors of our economy.
However, for AI innovation to keep advancing, we need sufficient data centers and infrastructure to support it.
Without this vital infrastructure, U.S. AI innovation will slow down, putting our small businesses at a disadvantage, hindering economic growth, and potentially allowing other nations to lead in AI development.
Our state, local, and federal lawmakers must recognize this pivotal moment and support U.S. innovation.
This involves creating a pro-innovation framework that enables our innovators to operate freely and increasing investments in energy production, grid infrastructure, and the construction of data centers to support artificial intelligence.
We live in a technology-driven world, and for our economies to grow and prosper, we must support technological innovations.
Sincerely,
Amanda Henry, Riverton
