Speaking virtually at a G20 technology ministers' meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg advocated for the expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence. The tech leaders highlighted the immense need for more facilities and the electrical power required to run them, addressing the topic amid a growing debate in the U.S. over the local impact of these centers.
Musk warned of a significant "power shortfall" as soon as next year, stating the energy crisis could give China an advantage in the AI race. He also criticized the European Union's high level of regulation, arguing it inhibits technological progress. Zuckerberg focused on the operational challenges, noting that Meta is already struggling to find enough skilled workers to build the data centers his company requires.