Phil Flynn: AI Represents Our Era’s Manhattan Project—Harness Its Power or Face Consequences
The Heritage Foundation senior economist Peter St. Onge discusses Sen. Bernie Sanders’, I-Vt., proposal for a moratorium on new AI data centers and critiques Sanders’ stance as a ‘power grab’ on ‘The Bottom Line.’
PROGRAMMING ALERT: Jackie DeAngelis hosts a special one-hour program: “Fox Business In Depth: Reenergizing America” on February 18 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT. Jackie and a panel of experts, newsmakers, and FBN correspondents break down the progress and headwinds in securing America’s energy future.
We are on the brink of an unprecedented economic and technological transformation: the AI revolution. This race hinges on our access to critical minerals, metals, and energy dominance — with U.S. energy playing a pivotal role in shaping the future.
Historically, the time to act is now. The Industrial Revolution highlighted the importance of energy sources like coal and oil. Today, critical minerals such as copper are equally vital for our economic future. While these resources are interconnected, the crux of the matter lies in electricity and a comprehensive U.S. energy strategy to harness it.
For the first time, we can transform electricity into intelligence. As Interior Secretary Doug Burgum aptly stated, the AI race is akin to the “Manhattan Project of our time” — a crucial contest for national security, economic power, and military advantage.
Dominance in AI will dictate the future, and the U.S. must lead not only in innovation but also in securing the raw materials that fuel it.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AI
Electricity is the lifeblood of AI, essential for meeting the immense computational demands of training AI models and processing vast amounts of data. Training a single large language model can require thousands of GPUs running for months, with cooling systems consuming up to 40% of the electricity. Without a reliable power supply, AI advancements would stagnate, giving our adversaries an edge.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier explores how the technology is changing how the world operates on ‘Special Report.’
Oil plays a crucial indirect role in supporting AI through the global energy system. While renewable energy sources are expanding, oil and natural gas provide the reliable baseload electricity necessary to prevent blackouts that AI data centers cannot afford.
Companies like ExxonMobil supply natural gas for on-site power plants, often incorporating carbon capture technology. Additionally, petrochemicals derived from oil are essential for hardware components such as server plastics and cables. Interestingly, AI also optimizes oil exploration and recovery, potentially unlocking vast reserves while simultaneously fueling AI’s growing energy demand.
The electricity demands of AI are escalating rapidly due to the surge in data centers. In 2024, global data centers consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours, accounting for about 1.5% of worldwide electricity. Projections indicate this figure could double to around 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, primarily driven by AI. Some estimates suggest a range of 1,000 to 1,600 terawatt-hours globally.
DATA CENTER BOOM POWERING AI REVOLUTION MAY DRAIN US GRIDS — AND WALLETS
In the U.S., data centers accounted for about 4.4% of electricity consumption in 2023, with projections suggesting this could rise to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028. Power demand may reach 106 gigawatts by 2035, significantly higher than previous forecasts. To lead in AI, we require flexible grids, aggressive renewable scaling, and hybrid fossil fuel solutions like natural gas to fill any gaps, although efficiency gains may help mitigate long-term peaks.
FOX Business contributor Phil Flynn analyzes President Donald Trump’s plan to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry after Maduro’s capture on ‘The Bottom Line.’
History demonstrates that transformative innovations do more than enhance productivity; they redefine wealth creation. The Industrial Revolution led to mechanized production, urbanization, and global trade, resulting in unprecedented prosperity. Similarly, the Internet Revolution democratized information and commerce, giving rise to trillion-dollar tech giants and connecting billions.
AI OUT OF CONTROL? HOW A SINGLE ARTICLE IS SENDING SHOCK WAVES WITH AN APOCALYPTIC WARNING
Now, AI is poised to propel us further into uncharted territory. Major tech companies are investing heavily in this space. In February 2026, Amazon announced plans to allocate $200 billion toward AI infrastructure, chips, and robotics. Overall, leading players are projected to invest around $650 billion in AI-related data centers, advanced chips, and the energy infrastructure needed to support them in 2026 alone.
This surge is not merely about economic growth; it is vital for U.S. military capability and national security. Maintaining our edge in AI is crucial for safeguarding life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Failure to lead could allow adversaries like China to weaponize this technology against us, reminiscent of how the space race defined the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to go to the moon — “not because it is easy, but because it is hard” — resonates today. We embrace this challenge because the stakes are high.
Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi discusses A.I. spending focused on data centers and the economic growth of Vertiv Holdings LLC on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
China has spent decades establishing dominance over critical minerals, controlling an estimated 60% to 70% of global rare earth mining, 90% to 94% of refining and processing, and about 93% of permanent magnets essential for AI, defense technology, and advanced systems. Rare earths may not be rare in nature, but securing and mining them is a complex challenge. The pandemic has illustrated how a single nation can weaponize supply chains.
The Trump administration is taking decisive action with a clear plan to rebuild America’s supply chains. Project Vault, a landmark initiative, aims to create a strategic reserve for critical minerals — similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but focused on the materials powering AI and defense. Supported by a record $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and nearly $1.67 billion in private investment, this nearly $12 billion initiative seeks to protect manufacturers from supply shocks, boost domestic production, and propel the next great leap forward.
Controlling these minerals is not just important; it is essential for maintaining economic leadership and ensuring national security for Americans. The entity that dominates this sector can wield significant influence. With our values of free markets, innovation, and individual liberty, the United States is uniquely positioned to thrive.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the next phase of the AI boom that’s expanding beyond data centers into cars, devices, and robotics.
For traders and investors, the implications are already becoming evident. Record highs in metals such as silver, gold, copper, platinum, and palladium reflect the market’s acknowledgment of this shift. Breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and various sectors will accelerate at an unprecedented pace — as intelligence is no longer solely human; it is now powered by the minerals and energy we secure today.
This is more than a commodities story — it is the foundation of America’s future in the AI era. The time to act is now.
Phil Flynn joined FOX Business Network (FBN) in 2008 as a contributor and currently provides market analysis specializing in the energy sector across the network and FOXBusiness.com. He is based in Chicago, where he frequently reports live from FBN’s Chicago bureau at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Click here to read more.
The Heritage Foundation senior economist Peter St. Onge discusses Sen. Bernie Sanders’, I-Vt., proposal for a moratorium on new AI data centers and critiques Sanders’ stance as a ‘power grab’ on ‘The Bottom Line.’
PROGRAMMING ALERT: Jackie DeAngelis hosts a special one-hour program: “Fox Business In Depth: Reenergizing America” on February 18 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT. Jackie and a panel of experts, newsmakers, and FBN correspondents break down the progress and headwinds in securing America’s energy future.
We are on the brink of an unprecedented economic and technological transformation: the AI revolution. This race hinges on our access to critical minerals, metals, and energy dominance — with U.S. energy playing a pivotal role in shaping the future.
Historically, the time to act is now. The Industrial Revolution highlighted the importance of energy sources like coal and oil. Today, critical minerals such as copper are equally vital for our economic future. While these resources are interconnected, the crux of the matter lies in electricity and a comprehensive U.S. energy strategy to harness it.
For the first time, we can transform electricity into intelligence. As Interior Secretary Doug Burgum aptly stated, the AI race is akin to the “Manhattan Project of our time” — a crucial contest for national security, economic power, and military advantage.
Dominance in AI will dictate the future, and the U.S. must lead not only in innovation but also in securing the raw materials that fuel it.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AI
Electricity is the lifeblood of AI, essential for meeting the immense computational demands of training AI models and processing vast amounts of data. Training a single large language model can require thousands of GPUs running for months, with cooling systems consuming up to 40% of the electricity. Without a reliable power supply, AI advancements would stagnate, giving our adversaries an edge.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier explores how the technology is changing how the world operates on ‘Special Report.’
Oil plays a crucial indirect role in supporting AI through the global energy system. While renewable energy sources are expanding, oil and natural gas provide the reliable baseload electricity necessary to prevent blackouts that AI data centers cannot afford.
Companies like ExxonMobil supply natural gas for on-site power plants, often incorporating carbon capture technology. Additionally, petrochemicals derived from oil are essential for hardware components such as server plastics and cables. Interestingly, AI also optimizes oil exploration and recovery, potentially unlocking vast reserves while simultaneously fueling AI’s growing energy demand.
The electricity demands of AI are escalating rapidly due to the surge in data centers. In 2024, global data centers consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours, accounting for about 1.5% of worldwide electricity. Projections indicate this figure could double to around 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, primarily driven by AI. Some estimates suggest a range of 1,000 to 1,600 terawatt-hours globally.
DATA CENTER BOOM POWERING AI REVOLUTION MAY DRAIN US GRIDS — AND WALLETS
In the U.S., data centers accounted for about 4.4% of electricity consumption in 2023, with projections suggesting this could rise to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028. Power demand may reach 106 gigawatts by 2035, significantly higher than previous forecasts. To lead in AI, we require flexible grids, aggressive renewable scaling, and hybrid fossil fuel solutions like natural gas to fill any gaps, although efficiency gains may help mitigate long-term peaks.
FOX Business contributor Phil Flynn analyzes President Donald Trump’s plan to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry after Maduro’s capture on ‘The Bottom Line.’
History demonstrates that transformative innovations do more than enhance productivity; they redefine wealth creation. The Industrial Revolution led to mechanized production, urbanization, and global trade, resulting in unprecedented prosperity. Similarly, the Internet Revolution democratized information and commerce, giving rise to trillion-dollar tech giants and connecting billions.
AI OUT OF CONTROL? HOW A SINGLE ARTICLE IS SENDING SHOCK WAVES WITH AN APOCALYPTIC WARNING
Now, AI is poised to propel us further into uncharted territory. Major tech companies are investing heavily in this space. In February 2026, Amazon announced plans to allocate $200 billion toward AI infrastructure, chips, and robotics. Overall, leading players are projected to invest around $650 billion in AI-related data centers, advanced chips, and the energy infrastructure needed to support them in 2026 alone.
This surge is not merely about economic growth; it is vital for U.S. military capability and national security. Maintaining our edge in AI is crucial for safeguarding life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Failure to lead could allow adversaries like China to weaponize this technology against us, reminiscent of how the space race defined the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to go to the moon — “not because it is easy, but because it is hard” — resonates today. We embrace this challenge because the stakes are high.
Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi discusses A.I. spending focused on data centers and the economic growth of Vertiv Holdings LLC on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
China has spent decades establishing dominance over critical minerals, controlling an estimated 60% to 70% of global rare earth mining, 90% to 94% of refining and processing, and about 93% of permanent magnets essential for AI, defense technology, and advanced systems. Rare earths may not be rare in nature, but securing and mining them is a complex challenge. The pandemic has illustrated how a single nation can weaponize supply chains.
The Trump administration is taking decisive action with a clear plan to rebuild America’s supply chains. Project Vault, a landmark initiative, aims to create a strategic reserve for critical minerals — similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but focused on the materials powering AI and defense. Supported by a record $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and nearly $1.67 billion in private investment, this nearly $12 billion initiative seeks to protect manufacturers from supply shocks, boost domestic production, and propel the next great leap forward.
Controlling these minerals is not just important; it is essential for maintaining economic leadership and ensuring national security for Americans. The entity that dominates this sector can wield significant influence. With our values of free markets, innovation, and individual liberty, the United States is uniquely positioned to thrive.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the next phase of the AI boom that’s expanding beyond data centers into cars, devices, and robotics.
For traders and investors, the implications are already becoming evident. Record highs in metals such as silver, gold, copper, platinum, and palladium reflect the market’s acknowledgment of this shift. Breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and various sectors will accelerate at an unprecedented pace — as intelligence is no longer solely human; it is now powered by the minerals and energy we secure today.
This is more than a commodities story — it is the foundation of America’s future in the AI era. The time to act is now.
Phil Flynn joined FOX Business Network (FBN) in 2008 as a contributor and currently provides market analysis specializing in the energy sector across the network and FOXBusiness.com. He is based in Chicago, where he frequently reports live from FBN’s Chicago bureau at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Click here to read more.
