US President Donald Trump made a major appearance at the AI and Energy Summit held at Carnegie Mellon University. The event brought together top leaders from tech, energy, finance, and government, all focused on one big goal: making the U.S. a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), especially in competition with China.
The summit was led by Senator Dave McCormick (R‑PA) and included more than $70 billion in private-sector investment announcements. Much of that money will go toward new infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania including data centers, energy upgrades, and job training. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google, ExxonMobil, and Palantir were key players in the discussions.
The biggest news from the summit was the plan to invest $70–90 billion in projects across energy, AI, and workforce development. These are private-sector commitments aimed at building the tools and power needed for the AI era.
Here are some major deals:
CoreWeave will spend $6 billion to build a large AI data center in Pennsylvania. It will create 600 construction jobs and around 70 long-term positions.
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Blackstone is investing $25 billion in grid upgrades and AI-focused campuses.
Google is partnering with Brookfield Renewable in a $3 billion deal to provide up to 3,000 megawatts of clean hydroelectric power.
FirstEnergy will invest $15 billion to strengthen Pennsylvania’s electric grid.
Some estimates suggest total future investment could reach $500 billion, especially with other programs like the “Stargate” initiative, which already has $100 billion in early commitments.
Senator McCormick called this shift “the start of a new industrial revolution,” where AI and energy must work together to keep the U.S. competitive.
What’s Feeding AI’s Rapid Growth
AI technology needs a lot of electricity to run. Federal data suggests that AI data centers could use 8.6% of all U.S. electricity by 2035, more than double today’s usage.
To keep up, tech companies are working closely with energy firms:
Google and Brookfield are investing heavily in hydroelectric power.
Microsoft and Constellation Energy want to reopen the Three Mile Island nuclear plant to power new AI systems.
The federal government is helping by speeding up permits, leasing public land for data centers, and cutting red tape to build faster.
But not everyone is happy about the direction this is taking.
Protests on Campus and Environmental Concerns
Some students and faculty at Carnegie Mellon protested the summit. They say it didn’t include enough voices from climate scientists or ethicists, and that it gave too much power to fossil fuel companies.
“Where are the climate experts?” asked one student. Dr. Carrie McDonough, a CMU environmental chemist, warned that leaders were ignoring the long-term risks of pairing AI growth with fossil fuels.
Reports also show that some tech companies are moving away from green energy and relying more on coal and natural gas to power their data centers. This could lead to a future where AI is powered by dirty energy.
CMU President Farnam Jahanian responded to the protests, saying the university supports open conversation even if people disagree on the issues.
Support from Both Sides of the Political Aisle
Though the summit was led by Republicans, it also had support from Democrats. Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) backed the effort, saying it could boost Pennsylvania’s role in the tech world.
Trump used the event to promote his “AI Action Plan”, expected to launch by July 23. This plan will focus on speeding up regulations and helping companies grow AI faster.
“Energy is no longer just about the environment it’s about national security,” Trump said. “Without power, AI can’t work.”
And it’s true. AI relies heavily on energy to power data centers, transmit information, and keep advanced models running smoothly.
Key Players at the Summit
Many major players from across the tech, energy, and finance sectors attended the summit, highlighting the deep connections forming between these industries. Leading tech companies such as Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, OpenAI (represented by Sam Altman), Anthropic (Dario Amodei), Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom were present to discuss the future of artificial intelligence.
On the energy side, giants like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and EQT expressed their readiness to meet the growing power demands of AI systems. Finance firms including BlackRock, Blackstone, and Brookfield also joined, backing large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at supporting this rapid growth.
Together, this powerful mix of business leaders underscored how AI, energy, and finance are becoming increasingly interconnected.
These new projects could bring big job opportunities:
CoreWeave’s data center will hire hundreds during construction and dozens afterward.
Blackstone’s grid work could add 6,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent roles each year.
Amazon’s $20 billion AI campus in the region could also create thousands of jobs.
Still, many experts say the rush to build should come with strong environmental rules and ethical AI oversight. Without that, they warn, the focus may be too much on short-term profits, and not enough on the long-term effects on people and the planet
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What Comes Next?
The summit highlighted some key points about America’s direction:
- AI needs massive amounts of energy—and the U.S. is racing to supply it.
- Private companies and government are working together, often faster than public programs can.
- Colleges and universities are caught in the middle—trying to balance research, business, and values.
- Environmental concerns are growing, especially with more fossil fuel use in AI development.
- The upcoming AI Action Plan could become the blueprint for America’s future in AI and tech.
The 2025 summit at Carnegie Mellon was more than just a political gathering. It showed that the U.S. is heading into a future where AI and energy are deeply connected. With billions of dollars in play, thousands of jobs on the line, and global competition heating up, what happens next will shape America for years to come.
But progress comes with responsibility. As the country builds faster, it must also think smarter, balancing growth with climate action and innovation with ethics.
The summit lit the spark. Now, America must decide how to handle the flame.