The AI-Energy Nexus Powering the Future
From Anchor Change with Katie Harbath by Katie Harbath
December 4, 2025 · 34 min · Season 5 · Episode 7
About this episode
Katie Harbath discusses the energy system powering the AI era with Sarah Hunt, focusing on national security and infrastructure challenges.
In this episode, Katie Harbath sits down with Sarah Hunt, President of the Rainey Center , for a wide-ranging conversation about the energy system powering the AI era. They dig into why AI’s rapidly growing electricity needs are now a national security issue, how state legislators are shaping the future of infrastructure, and what the U.S. must do to stay competitive as countries like China scale their energy capacity at unprecedented speed. Together, they map out the real bottlenecks—permitting, grid modernization, workforce shortages—and the partnerships needed across government, industry, and communities to build an energy foundation strong enough to support innovation. This is a conversation about power, in every sense of the word, and why the choices we make now will determine what’s possible in the decades ahead. Takeaways * AI’s rising energy demand is becoming a central issue for innovation and national security. * State legislators are key players in energy affordability, siting, and infrastructure decisions. * Permitting and regulatory hurdles are slowing critical energy and grid projects. * China is expanding energy infrastructure faster than the U.S., raising…
People in this episode
Host: Katie Harbath
Guest: Sarah Hunt
Topics covered
- AI energy demand
- national security
- infrastructure
- energy capacity
- public-private partnerships
- workforce shortages
Keywords
- AI
- energy demand
- national security
- infrastructure
- China
- U.S.
- public-private partnerships
- workforce
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Rainey Center
Places: China, U.S.
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