This cycle outpaces all previous historic infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the railroad system, which averaged 2.24% of GDP between 1870 and 1890. Other benchmarks include the national highway system at 1.13% and telecommunications at 1.1%, while data center spending alone now exceeds the combined expenditure of 19th-century canals and the electric grid.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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US AI Buildout Becomes Largest Economic Bet with $10.3 Trillion Spend
AI23 days ago
Investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure will average 3.63% of annual U.S. GDP from 2025 to 2032, according to analysis from the Brookings Institution. Total spending on data centers and supporting AI systems will reach $10.3 trillion over that period, making it the largest single-industry expansion in the history of the U.S. economy, based on reports from the Wall Street Journal.
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