US needs better internet infrastructure networks to beat China in AI race

The United States must win the global race for AI dominance against China. Our success depends on thriving innovation and sound investment, two integral parts of our national warplan.

But the third component of victory cannot be ignored: The United States urgently needs a better internet infrastructure. If we don’t expand our connectivity advantage in the 21st century, we will lose the fight for global AI leadership.

Right now, leaders in DC are debating the best approach to AI regulation. On the other side of the country, Silicon Valley is hunting for the next breakthrough AI model. But even as the United States does both, Beijing is playing a different game.

The Chinese Communist Party recognizes that AI superiority depends not only on data and algorithms, but also on leveraging a national approach to building the infrastructure and connectivity needed to develop and deploy advanced AI systems. It is building internet infrastructure to surpass the USA

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China, for example, is challenging America’s long-standing leadership in Wi-Fi innovation by pushing its domestic standards internationally and directing resources to homegrown wireless technologies; undermines both US standards and the technology that has long pioneered Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi is important because it is the primary technology that consumers use to access AI on their devices. The ability to move, process and transmit data at scale is the backbone of artificial intelligence. Every productive AI query, driverless vehicle, and factory robot depends on lightning speed and reliable connectivity. If China takes the lead in any internet infrastructure, it will soon take the lead in artificial intelligence.

The good news is that the American cable industry has made significant progress in building broadband networks that offer the scale to meet this moment; 87% already offer gigabit speeds, with even more powerful capabilities on the horizon. Over the past two decades, $340 billion in private capital has been invested to build these powerful networks, generating $568.7 billion in economic output in 2024 alone and supporting more than 1.3 million jobs nationwide.

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These infrastructure investments are important; but they must also be met by government commitment as part of a national strategy to expand U.S. internet leadership. Such a strategy is not only crucial for the future use and reliability of AI; It will also increase the economic impact that this type of infrastructure has. In California alone, cable infrastructure supports 209,000 jobs and provides a $117 billion impact to the state’s economy. Texas and Florida each maintain more than 100,000 cable-related jobs.

This is what national power looks like: private capital fueling the public good. With a national strategy for internet infrastructure, this benefit can be replicated on a very large scale.

In a recent tech policy conversation I had with Rep. Brett Guthrie, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he framed the choice clearly: “We’re not competing with Europe for regulation, we’re competing with China to innovate.” He’s right. Europe’s over-regulation has already left them out of the AI ​​race. The United States is still in the race, and we must continue to innovate and expand our internet infrastructure if we hope to win.

AMERICA MUST WIN THE AI RACE AND PREPARE FOR THE WORST

Now is the time to capitalize on America’s strengths by doubling Wi-Fi capacity, broadband connectivity, and the infrastructure that makes them possible. For years and due to forward-thinking national policies, Wi-Fi has been the workhorse of the internet, handling the vast majority of internet traffic and connecting our homes, offices, schools and factories.

This is also a uniquely American success story; It is a success story rooted in the value of permissionless innovation and rules that support freedom of access to public publications. Imagine if the federal government made this story even more successful by further expanding Wi-Fi access. China wouldn’t stand a chance in the AI ​​war.

Winning the AI ​​race will require focus and urgency. As soon as possible, leaders in D.C. should create a national framework for broadband policy to replace the current state-by-state regulatory minefield that hinders the infrastructure America needs.

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We also need a better national policy on unlicensed spectrum (radio frequencies that support Wi-Fi) to ensure our country maintains its leadership in Wi-Fi. We also need to maintain federal incentives that encourage private investment in internet infrastructure to meet the massive data demands of AI.

If we do this right, the United States will not only compete in the age of artificial intelligence, we will unquestionably lead the way and leave China in the dust. The same networks that connect Americans today will secure our economic success, technological leadership, and national future tomorrow.

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