Unlocking AI Growth Through Workforce and Energy Infrastructure Investments

AI offers the United States a transformative chance to drive innovation and economic growth. Its adoption will boost the economy, create jobs, and accelerate scientific progress. To fully seize these opportunities, the nation must urgently upgrade its aging energy infrastructure. This demands faster innovation and investment in cutting-edge energy technologies, smarter use of the current grid, expanded construction of new transmission lines, and a skilled workforce to build this critical infrastructure.

In a new report, Powering a New Era of American Innovation, we outline 15 actionable policy recommendations. Many of these ideas, shaped by extensive policy discussions, draw support from diverse stakeholders and build on long-standing proposals.

By enhancing access to advanced electricity resources and modernizing grid infrastructure, the United States can ensure a more reliable and cost-effective energy future powered by all available sources. Achieving this requires robust collaboration between public and private sectors.

Beyond Google’s pledge to train 1 million Americans in AI skills through the AI Opportunity Fund, there’s a pressing need for skilled tradespeople to build electrical infrastructure. A shortage of electrical workers could hinder the nation’s ability to develop the infrastructure required for AI, advanced manufacturing, and the transition to clean energy.

Building on years of delivering digital workforce development programs nationwide, Google is now supporting an initiative to train 100,000 electrical workers and 30,000 new apprentices across the United States. Through funding from Google.org to the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA)—a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association—etA will incorporate AI tools into its training programs and expand its apprentice network. Apprentices will also gain access to Google’s AI Essentials course to develop AI expertise.

With Google’s support, etA aims to grow the electrical workforce pipeline by 70% over the next five years. While no single organization can address the projected shortfall alone, collaborative public-private training initiatives like this one can create a scalable model for preparing the next generation of workers.