AI Infrastructure and Its Impacts: Energy, Workforce, Economy & Communities

​As artificial intelligence accelerates, data centers are expanding rapidly and raising important questions about energy demand, economic development, workforce needs, public policy, and impacts on local communities.

​Join Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, power systems engineer Philip Gonski, Justin Grimshaw of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 375, and technologist Waskar Paulino, for a discussion about the opportunities, challenges, and tradeoffs associated with supporting the next generation of AI infrastructure.

​Topics include:

• ​The growing demand for AI data centers

• ​Electric grid capacity, reliability, and energy requirements

• ​Workforce development and skilled trade careers

• ​Economic impacts and development considerations for Pennsylvania

• ​Community impacts, sustainability, and responsible growth

• ​Public policy, regulation, and long-term planning

• ​Balancing technological innovation with environmental and community concerns

​Whether you're in government, business, technology, labor, or simply interested in the future of AI, this conversation will examine multiple perspectives on the growth of AI-related infrastructure and explore how regions can evaluate and prepare for its potential benefits, costs, and long-term impacts.