On March 20, President Donald J. Trump unveiled a national policy framework for artificial intelligence aimed at securing American leadership in the emerging AI economy.
The Trump administration’s legislative framework encourages Congress to pursue streamlined permitting for data centers to provide their own power on-site, reasonable safeguards for American families and consumers, and the infrastructure necessary to support American leadership in AI development. In addition, the Trump administration urges Congress, “to further workforce development and skills training programs, expanding opportunities across sectors and creating new jobs in an AI-powered economy.”
For the Independent Electrical Contractors, this moment reinforces the essential role merit shop electrical contractors already play in building and powering the digital economy. From data centers to advanced energy systems, IEC’s members are on the front lines of constructing the electrical backbone required to support AI at scale.
In addition, IEC’s nationwide workforce development network is preparing skilled electricians needed to meet this demand. With more than 22,000 apprentices enrolled in electrical apprenticeship programs across 56 chapters, IEC is creating career pathways that equip electricians with the skills to build, maintain, and operate next-generation AI infrastructure.
IEC encourages Congress to respect the principles of free enterprise as they deliberate an AI policy plan, noting that merit shop contractors and their skilled employees deliver cost savings and efficiency to critical AI infrastructure projects across the nation. It would be a shame for lawmakers to enact special interest favoring policies like project labor agreements, which would eliminate nine out of 10 construction workers from building data center infrastructure simply because they choose not to affiliate with unions.
IEC looks forward to continued collaboration with the Trump administration and Congress to build the infrastructure and workforce America needs to win the AI race.
– Amy Biedenharn, IEC Executive Director