U.S. AI Data Center Buildout could Cost Trillions by Early 2030s

Despite concerns about the risks posed by artificial intelligence, the United States is moving ahead with a massive expansion of data centers and related infrastructure, with the total investment potentially reaching trillions of dollars.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving massive investment in US data centers, electricity infrastructure and related facilities.

Estimates cited by Forbes put the cost of the US data center buildout at between $2.8 trillion by 2030 and $10.3 trillion by 2032.

The estimates encompass a broad range of infrastructure and investment associated with the expansion.

Goldman Sachs estimates that US AI-related capital expenditure will rise from 1.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2026 to 2.5 percent in 2027 and 2.8 percent in 2028.

The expansion is creating strong demand for electricity, land, construction materials and other infrastructure.

It is also creating bottlenecks as utilities and developers race to meet the power and infrastructure requirements of new data centers.

Goldman Sachs said the projected level of AI investment would be comparable with investment surges associated with previous general-purpose technological transformations.

The scale of the spending has raised questions about how the AI boom will affect energy demand, capital markets and other areas of the US economy.