Brookings Institution

A new Brookings Institution study examines the enormous physical footprint of the AI boom, from specialized chips and electricity demand to purpose-built data centers, noting that two-thirds of a data center's cost can go into hardware and construction. The report assesses how large the buildout has become and what financial and economic risks it may pose if AI investment slows or falls short of expectations.

A Brookings Institution researcher argues that the current AI buildout will amount to the largest infrastructure investment bet in United States history, surpassing previous eras of massive spending on railroads, highways, and telecommunications. The claim underscores the enormous scale of capital flowing into data centers, chips, and energy capacity to support artificial intelligence development.

The Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis has closed its longtime location in Overton Park, according to local news reports. The museum has previously discussed relocating its main facility to the Memphis riverfront, and the closure marks a significant change for one of the city's oldest and most prominent cultural institutions. No further details were given in the report.