Zuckerberg, Musk make plea for more AI data centres

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk called for rapid expansion of AI data centres and improved electrical infrastructure during a G20 technology meeting, highlighting job creation and potential electricity shortages. Their warnings underscore critical challenges to AI development, including labor shortages, power supply risks, and regulatory hurdles that could influence global competitiveness.

Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk emphasized the urgent need for expanded artificial intelligence (AI) data centres and the corresponding electrical infrastructure during a virtual G20 technology ministers meeting held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The event, organised by the White House, focused on addressing both the disruptive challenges and potential opportunities presented by AI advancements.

Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, highlighted the significant demand for data centres, noting the company’s difficulty in sourcing skilled tradespeople to support construction efforts. He estimated that the expansion of AI data centres could create "hundreds of thousands and maybe millions of jobs" in skilled trades, underscoring the scale of labour required to meet growing data processing needs.

Musk, chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, underscored a critical issue related to power supply, warning of an impending electricity shortfall driven by the surge in AI infrastructure. He described a "crisis of power" that could delay progress in the AI sector and potentially give China a competitive edge. Musk indicated that Tesla is actively working on power generation projects to support its data centres. He also criticized European governments for overregulating technology, which he said is hampering economic growth in the region.

The meeting occurred amid increasing public resistance in the United States to the construction of AI data centres. Concerns from local communities, including rising electricity costs and noise pollution, have fuelled opposition just as the country prepares for midterm elections later this year. President Donald Trump weighed in shortly before the event, denouncing critics of AI data centres as "backwards and poor," signalling political support for the data centre expansion.

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis also addressed the ministers virtually, warning that the advent of human-level AI could have an impact ten times greater than the Industrial Revolution. He stressed the importance of harnessing this transformative technology responsibly, balancing rapid progress with careful oversight.

The dialogue among industry leaders and government representatives highlighted ongoing tensions between economic imperatives, technological innovation, and regulatory challenges as nations navigate the evolving AI landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.