Whoever leads in AI computing will lead the world

AI is the transformative force that redefines human life. AI is no longer a simple tool; it is a force that reshapes every aspect of human existence, from business to defense and social policies. The technology that powers AI, computing power, is now closely tied to global power. As nations and corporations pour billions into colossal data centers to power AI, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the AI ​​market, projected to reach $1,811.75 billion by 2030, will favor those who control the data best and computing platforms.

At the same time, the New Trump administration is preparing to take office with a bold vision to use technology and artificial intelligence as critical tools to strengthen and enhance America’s global competitiveness. In a surprising move, visionary entrepreneur and tech genius Elon Musk has been announced as a close adviser to the President. This collaboration underscores the administration’s commitment to AI leadership, signaling a historic push to cement U.S. dominance in technological innovation, economic power and defense capabilities.

The race to lead artificial intelligence in computing has become more than just an economic competition—the defining battle for global power in the 21st century.

US vs. China: A battle for AI supremacy

Of the countries trying to get a head start on AI computing, the biggest contenders are China and America. China has publicly pledged to make artificial intelligence a national priority and has invested significant sums to build AI data centers, $6.12 billion, in recent years. China wants to achieve AI development as a tool for economic growth and a way to improve its defense, becoming the world’s leading military. Investments in AI frameworks are growing rapidly as China builds more and more structured data centers for military and civilian development.

The US insists on staying ahead of the curve regarding Artificial Intelligence. Private American companies, especially technology firms, invest heavily in data centers. Private construction spending on AI and data infrastructure has reached $30 billion annually, more than double the amount seen just a year ago. Global data center spending is on track to reach $250 billion annually. Computing AI is now recognized as critical to American business and economic dominance.

The Energy Challenge of AI Data Centers

Such rapid expansion comes at a price. The data centers that store AI data being built now require large amounts of electricity, significantly impacting the power supply. After remaining nearly stagnant in the United States for some time, energy demand is poised to increase. AI-enabled data centers are at the heart of this growth.

The power required by a single data center can be compared to the electricity required by a small city. For example, a 100 MW data center consumes the energy of 80,000 – 100,000 households, and these centers are growing larger, more prominent centers of an industrial scale, even gigawatt-sized, approximately. This situation has created an urgent need for companies and the government to increase energy production capacities in every aspect. It’s not just about boosting energy supply, but a perfect mix of renewable and conventional energy sources to meet the huge consumption of AI computing. The future of AI and global competitiveness lies in today’s solutions to the energy crisis.

A rising competitor: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is also increasingly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the AI ​​infrastructure race. With Oracle’s $1.5 billion plan and AWS’s $5.3 billion investment, the country boldly began its march toward becoming a digital hub—a gateway connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. According to Bloomberg, the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is behind a planned $100 billion Project Transcendence AI hub, designed to strengthen the Kingdom’s AI networks and facilities while recruiting international technology companies.

These steps are in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. The Kingdom’s location and great financial potential allow it to become a major player in AI infrastructure.

The Efficiency Frontier: Neuromorphic Computing

As data centers are becoming more significant energy consumers, there has been a focus on making AI work less energy intensive. Neuromorphic computing is being championed by companies such as Innatera, with CEO Sumeet Kumar as one of them. This technology derives from the structure and function of the human brain to process information in an extremely efficient and fast way that uses less energy than other practices.

However, what is truly revolutionary is Innatera’s first chip, the Spiking Neural Processor (SNP) T1, a neuromorphic computing solution that implements a model that can operate at the edge of the network with almost no power consumption. This development is particularly beneficial for AI systems that need energy-efficient smart grid systems. However, when the power demands of data centers become increasingly challenging, neuromorphic computing may be the answer.

Why does the leader matter in computing AI?

Competing for world leadership in computer artificial intelligence isn’t just about sinking capital into hardware. AI remains the central focus of economic, military and geopolitical power. Governments that lead in AI computing will be key players in driving advanced AI solutions in everything from cars to predictive modeling, cybersecurity and healthcare. Therefore, computer leadership can give a country or firm something that no single entity can provide—control over world systems.

As data centers grow in importance to the extent that they are considered utilities such as highways or power grids, we may need to become more protective of them than existing utilities. Control over AI computation leads to the ability to regulate the flow of information and protect the world’s secrets, while setting the AI ​​policy agenda around the world.

The time to act is now

Looking ahead, it’s clear that aiming to take the highest possible position in AI computing is the goal for tech goliaths and nations. Only public and private collaboration can respond to this accelerating race driven by artificial intelligence. To stay ahead, government and industry professionals and technology industry leaders need to think ahead, start targeting long-range priorities like sustainable energy, and deepen their focus on new technologies, including neuromorphic computing and strategic investments in AI infrastructure.

That’s why whoever wins in computing AI will have the loudest voice in the future. It’s not just about being first – it’s about being one of the few who will shape the next technology revolution. For people who don’t get it right, the potential outcome is being left behind in a society where almost everything is being infused with data and power. The time to act is now.