The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has put out a request for comment on federal policies regarding data centers.
The RFC was published on September 4 and seeks "comments on the challenges surrounding data center growth, resilience and security in the United States amidst a surge of computing power demand due to the development of critical and emerging technologies."
The RFC specifically identifies artificial intelligence (AI) as a driving force for the "accelerated demands for more computing infrastructure."
It also identifies challenges faced by the data center sector including energy supply, restrictive permitting, skilled workforce shortages, and land unavailability.
The input is hoped to help the NTIA find opportunities for the US government to improve the data center market's development, supply chain resistance, and data security.
Key areas the NTIA seeks comment on include the market considerations data centers deem critical when seeking to modernize or expand, the potential positive and negative impacts of data center modernization or investment on society, and the requirements data centers that host AI models should implement to ensure adequate data security practices.
Those interested have until November 4, 2024, to submit their comments, after which the NTIA will draft and issue a public report that will capture "economic and security policy considerations and policy recommendations for fostering safe, secure, and sustainable data center growth.
“Data centers are the backbone of a secure and resilient technology ecosystem,” said Alan Davidson, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information and NTIA administrator.
“But projections show we don’t have enough data centers in the United States to meet growing demand and power the coming AI revolution. Our inquiry will lead to policy approaches that encourage the sustainable growth of this essential computing infrastructure across the country.”
According to the NTIA, there are currently more than 5,000 data centers in the US, but demand is projected to grow by nine percent annually through 2030.
The RFC is being issued in coordination with the Department of Energy.
The NTIA is part of the US Department of Commerce and is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues.
