Commentary: Big Tent Ideas

TRICIA PRIDEMORE: I Partnered With President Trump On AI. We Need To Finish The Job

(Screen Capture/NBC Nightly News)

America is at the beginning of a technological revolution that will define the next century. Artificial intelligence will shape our economy, our national security, and our way of life. The question is simple: will the United States lead this revolution, or will the Chinese Communist Party?

I believe the answer must be America.

During my time as a commissioner on the Georgia Public Service Commission, I had the opportunity to partner with the Trump Administration and leaders at the White House on the AI Ratepayer Protection Pledge and other initiatives aimed at ensuring the United States leads the world in artificial intelligence while protecting American families.

President Donald Trump understands something many in Washington still fail to grasp: the race for AI dominance is not just about technology, it is about national security. It is about whether the future of the world’s data, intelligence systems, and digital infrastructure is shaped by free nations or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

That is why Trump has made data centers and AI infrastructure a core part of his national security vision. These facilities power the systems behind our data, protect sensitive information, and enable the innovation that keeps America ahead of our adversaries.

But leadership does not mean writing blank checks.

In Georgia, I have pushed a simple policy: no handouts and no rate increases. Data centers and technology companies should invest in our communities, but they should not come at the expense of hardworking families. Ratepayers should never be forced to subsidize massive technology projects. We can grow responsibly while protecting consumers.

In Columbia County, their data centers have completely eliminated property taxes. That’s right, supporting the President’s agenda and protecting our country’s national security can also save American families thousands of dollars every year when done right.

The demand for AI infrastructure is exploding. Across the country, companies are racing to build the data centers needed to power everything from advanced research to healthcare services to national defense capabilities. This growth presents enormous opportunities for American workers and local economies.

But rapid growth requires clear guardrails.

Local communities deserve a voice in how these projects develop. In Georgia, leaders in Gordon County recently placed a temporary moratorium on new data center development while they evaluate the long-term impact. That type of local leadership is important. Communities must be able to ensure projects respect infrastructure needs, energy capacity, and quality of life.

Responsible development and strong economic growth can go hand in hand. But at the same time, America cannot afford to move slowly while China races ahead. The Chinese Communist Party is investing enormous resources to dominate artificial intelligence and control the data that powers it. If the United States fails to lead, Beijing will gladly fill the vacuum.

That would mean authoritarian regimes shaping the technology that powers our economy, our military, and our daily lives. That is a future we cannot allow. Trump gets this better than anyone and refuses to cede to the CCP.

Building the infrastructure to win the AI race will require vision on the scale of America’s greatest eras of growth. Data centers are the modern equivalent of the interstate highway system or the steel boom that powered our industrial rise. They are the foundation of the next generation of American innovation.

There was a time when the United States built the biggest projects in the world. We led the globe in infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology. We did not hesitate, and we did not fall behind. Winning the future is what America has always done.

It is time to bring that spirit back.

I understand the threats of AI. But I also understand the threats of not acting. Finding that middle ground is imperative.

That means protecting ratepayers, empowering local communities, strengthening our national security, and unleashing the full potential of American innovation.

Artificial intelligence will define the future. The only question is whether that future is written by the United States or by the Chinese Communist Party.

With strong leaders like Trump and clear priorities, I am confident America will win. I am ready to help finish the job.

Tricia Pridemore is an entrepreneur and former member of the Georgia Public Service Commission. She is nationally recognized for her work at the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and public policy.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

(Featured Image Media Credit: Screen Capture/NBC Nightly News)