Ben Horowitz flags an electrician shortage that could slow the AI buildout

The AI race has plenty of chips, capital, and ambition. According to Ben Horowitz, it may be running short on people who know how to wire it all up. The Andreessen Horowitz co-founder said that only 2% of US electricians are certified on DC power. That is a niche credential on paper. It is also one that next-generation AI data centers increasingly depend on. Why DC power suddenly matters Most buildings, including traditional data centers, run on alternating current, or AC. Direct current, or DC, flows in one direction. High-density AI facilities are moving toward high-voltage DC systems, including 800V DC setups, rather than conventional AC configurations. AI data centers run at rack power densities of 120 to 140 kW per rack. Traditional setups run at 10 to 14 kW. A shortage on top of a shortage The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 81,000 electrician openings each year through 2034. It also forecasts employment growth of 9% for the occupation, well ahead of the average across all jobs. McKinsey estimates the US will need an additional 130,000 trained electricians between 2023 and 2030 to keep pace with AI-related infrastructure and other construction demand. Big Tech ...