Most Americans don't think much about digital infrastructure because, for the most part, it is always there.
asserted
it → think → part
We carry supercomputers in our pockets and expect instant access to our bank accounts, medical records, airline schedules, businesses, families and virtually any piece of information we need.
asserted
we → carry → information
We have become so accustomed to that availability that it is easy to forget there is an enormous physical infrastructure behind it.
asserted
it → become → it
Both of us learned the value of information long before we entered the critical infrastructure industry.
asserted
we → learn → industry
Kirk learned it beneath the ocean aboard U.S. Navy nuclear submarines, while Mike experienced it years later on the battlefields of the Global War on Terror with special operations forces.
asserted
Mike → learn → forces
The missions and eras were different, but the lesson was the same: Having the right information at the right time can save lives.
asserted
Having → have → lives
Knowing where your people are, understanding what is happening around you and acting on reliable information faster than an adversary can determine the outcome of a mission.
asserted
what → know → mission
That lesson applies to the challenge America faces today.
asserted
America → apply → challenge
The race for artificial intelligence isn't simply about who develops the best software or algorithm.
asserted
who → develop → software
It is also about who can build the power generation, transmission, data centers and workforce required to run it.
asserted
who → build → it
If we fail at that part of the equation, it won't matter how innovative we are.
asserted
we → fail → equation
America has to build again
For generations, one of America's greatest strengths was our ability to turn innovation into physical capability.
asserted
one → have → capability
We built interstate highways, ports, power plants, factories and telecommunications networks that fueled economic growth while strengthening our national security.
asserted
that → build → security
We are at another such moment, except we aren't moving fast enough.
asserted
we → move → moment
Permitting delays, grid bottlenecks and supply-chain constraints are slowing new generation and transmission at precisely the moment AI and advanced computing are creating enormous new demand for electricity.
asserted
AI → slow → electricity
China understands this.
asserted
China → understand → this
It is aggressively expanding power generation, transmission, manufacturing and computing capacity because technological leadership ultimately requires physical capacity.
asserted
leadership → expand → capacity
While Washington debates how AI should be governed, our competitors are making sure they have the infrastructure to deploy it.
asserted
they → debate → it
That is why the way we talk about data centers also needs to change.
asserted
we → talk → centers
They aren't simply large commercial buildings filled with servers.
asserted
They → fill → servers
They are part of what we call the Fifth Utility, the interconnected compute, power, fiber and digital infrastructure that supports banking, healthcare, transportation, commerce, emergency communications, national intelligence and defense.
asserted
that → call → banking
None of that means communities should accept development without asking tough questions.
asserted
communities → mean → questions
Residents deserve to know how projects will affect power, water, land, electricity rates and local infrastructure.
asserted
projects → deserve → power
Developers have an obligation to show up early, answer those questions honestly and invest responsibly in the communities where they build.
asserted
they → have → communities
We can protect communities and ratepayers while still building the infrastructure America needs.
asserted
America → protect → infrastructure
In fact, we must do both.
asserted
we → do → both
Data centers and power plants don't build themselves.
asserted
centers → build → themselves
America needs electricians, line workers, welders, high-voltage technicians, construction professionals and mission-critical operators.
asserted
America → need → electricians
Meanwhile, roughly 200,000 men and women leave military service every year with many of the qualities this industry desperately needs: technical discipline, leadership, adaptability and the ability to perform when failure isn't an option.
asserted
failure → leave → qualities
Creating stronger pathways from military service into critical infrastructure careers should be part of our national strategy, not simply a workforce initiative.
asserted
Creating → create → strategy
We spent our military careers understanding that information superiority matters only if you have the people, systems and infrastructure to deliver it when it counts.
asserted
it → spend → it
Technology may have changed, but the principle hasn't.
uncertain
principle → change → ?
We can protect communities and ratepayers while still building the infrastructure America needs.
asserted
America → protect → infrastructure
In fact, we must do both.
asserted
we → do → both
America still has the capital, energy resources, technology and talent to lead the digital age.
asserted
America → have → age
What we cannot assume is that those advantages will last while we take years to build what our competitors are building now.
asserted
competitors → assume → what
The digital world may feel invisible, but the infrastructure behind it isn't.
uncertain
infrastructure → feel → it
It requires power, transmission, fiber, steel, concrete and skilled people.
If America intends to lead the digital age, we need to start building like it.
asserted
we → require → it
Kirk Offel is a Navy nuclear attack submarine veteran and the CEO of Overwatch Mission Critical, a Texas-based Service-Disabled Veteran Owned data center company that trains and hires future leaders for high-skill jobs in the data center industry.
asserted
that → base → industry
He is a Top 10 ranked global voice on data centers.
asserted
He → rank → centers
The Aporia
