The demand for power required by AI data centers in the U.S. is set to soar to 106 gigawatts by 2035, a notable increase of 36 percent from previous forecasts by BloombergNEF. As the industry grows, significant challenges arise, particularly a shortage of skilled labor, including engineers and technicians. Laura Laltrello, COO of Applied Digital, highlighted the pressing need for civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers as the company works on two data center campuses in Harwood, North Dakota, which will demand 1.4 GW of power upon completion.
Recruitment initiatives are being expanded to draw talent from various fields, such as nuclear energy and aerospace, addressing the diminishing traditional engineering talent pool. According to the AFCOM State of the Data Center Report 2025, 58 percent of data center managers have reported a need for multi-skilled operators, and 50 percent foresee increased demand for engineers. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for nearly 400,000 construction workers by 2033, particularly in power infrastructure and related trades.
Bill Kleyman, CEO of Apolo, emphasized that the challenge extends beyond merely finding available workers; it encompasses the timing and intensity of the demand across various sectors. Companies such as Lancium are under pressure, with projects like the Stargate initiative in Abilene, Texas, being developed for Oracle and OpenAI, illustrating the urgency in constructing AI data centers.