Iowa is about to face one of the most significant economic disruptions in its history — and almost no one is talking about it. Artificial intelligence and robotics are advancing at a pace that most people find difficult to comprehend. What makes Iowa particularly vulnerable is the nature of our economy. Our strongest industries — […]
Part two of a series examining the real forces behind Iowa’s data center debate. Let’s Start With Your Electric Bill If you’ve been following Iowa’s data center debate, you’ve probably heard some version of this claim: data centers are driving up electricity rates, and Iowans are footing the bill for Big Tech’s AI ambitions. It’s
Part five of a series examining the real forces behind Iowa’s data center debate. A Post That Wasn’t What It Seemed On June 1 at 5:53 in the morning, an image appeared in the Facebook feeds of tens of thousands of Iowans. A breathtaking aerial photograph of Iowa farmland glowing at sunset, the outline of
AI can and will revolutionize education. It will impact teaching and learning in ways we can scarcely imagine today – but will be demanding attention tomorrow. What seems like science fiction today, will look antiquated tomorrow. The only question is whether Iowa will lead the way, or play catch up down the road. AI can
While other states fight over who pays the bill for AI’s energy appetite, Iowa has built something most of the country doesn’t have: a model that works. The Numbers Are Hard to Ignore Iowa is home to roughly 115 data centers, with the Des Moines metro hosting about 76 of them and Cedar Rapids emerging
Part one of a four-part series examining the real impacts of data centers on Iowa communities. What You Need to Know Before Reading Further The Central Iowa Water Works voluntary water restriction had nothing to do with data centers. The request was triggered by elevated nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers —
Artificial intelligence, in its most consequential forms, is quietly beginning to do things that were not possible before. This series is about those things.
The warnings about artificial intelligence’s appetite for energy are real. Data centers powering the AI revolution consumed an estimated 460 to 490 terawatt-hours of electricity globally in 2025 — roughly the annual output of 50 large nuclear plants — and the International Energy Agency projects that figure will nearly double by 2030. In the United
The rapid advance of AI is no longer a distant prospect — it demands immediate action from every education leader and policymaker in Iowa. Few developments in modern history will reshape the international playing field as profoundly or as quickly. Nations and school systems that fully embrace AI will gain a decisive edge. Those that
We’ve spent years debating how AI will change work. But we’ve barely started talking about what it does to people’s minds. For generations, American culture handed every young person the same simple script: study hard, get the degree, land the job, and your life will have purpose. That script is breaking. When the path disappears,
A look at the industries that define our state — and why artificial intelligence puts them squarely in the crosshairs. Every state in America will feel the impact of artificial intelligence. But not every state is equally exposed. Iowa’s economy is built on industries that, by their very nature, are among the most vulnerable to