U.S. AI dominance hinges on infrastructure, not just software breakthroughs. OpenAI's Stargate data centre will consume 1.2 gigawatts of power, matching half of El Paso Electric's total capacity. Arizona's electricity demand has surged eight percent from over one hundred operational data centres. The average facility demands roughly five hundred megawatts, enough to power three hundred seventy-five thousand homes annually. S&P Global projects a copper supply deficit reaching ten million metric tons by twenty forty, potentially creating one of the most significant commodity squeezes in modern history. The AI economy requires massive physical supply chains spanning energy, metals, and logistics. Whether utilities expand grids or data companies build independent power sources, demand for electricity and supporting infrastructure will accelerate.
