Brookings: AI Buildout to Hit 3.63% of US GDP a Year, Double Residential Power Use

A Brookings Institution study puts the AI infrastructure buildout at an average 3.63% of US GDP per year — larger than the canal, railroad, electrification, highway and telecom booms. The projected 183 GW of new data-center capacity over seven years would double the electricity consumption of the entire US residential sector and requires $3.7 trillion in annual revenue by 2032.

• AI buildout equals 3.63% of US GDP per year, topping past investment booms
• 183 GW of new data-center capacity planned over 7 years vs 57 GW today
• Industry needs $3.7 trillion in annual revenue by 2032, ~80% growth per year
• Two-thirds of data-center costs are IT gear, one-third real estate and power