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We are in the midst of an industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence (AI). From self-driving cars to medical diagnostics to next-generation defense and homeland security capabilities, AI is reshaping nearly every industry.
As the United States scrambles to maintain its global leadership in AI, much of the conversation revolves around natural language processing, reshoring the semiconductor supply chain, and powering data centers. However, one important component is still largely overlooked. It's the hard drives that contain data storage and the data storage that enables scalable AI advancements.
In the AI era, data is everything. Vast datasets power systems that predict disease outbreaks, manage supply chains, detect fraud, and empower military forces. According to Goldman Sachs, AI will increase demand for data centers by 160% by 2030. Without a scalable and resilient data storage sector, even the most advanced AI models will prove useless. The United States cannot afford to treat data storage as an afterthought.
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It is clear that the data storage needed to scale AI applications requires a storage solution that is comparable to the vast amount of data being generated. This is where hard drives excel. Hard drives, which store more than 90% of your data in cloud data centers, are not only essential for large-scale data management, but also for maintaining the integrity of the data that informs the AI models that are the basis of Trustworthy AI. play an important role.
Artificial intelligence plays an important role in many business and government sectors. But for the US to stay ahead of China, it needs both energy and data storage. (Josep Lago/AFP via Getty Images)
This reliance on robust data storage is especially evident in areas where AI tools are rapidly being adopted.
The defense and homeland security sectors rely on data-intensive AI systems to make real-time decisions in life-or-death situations. Satellite data and surveillance feeds require large storage capacities, and the U.S. military's AI integration relies on reliable, secure, high-capacity hard drives. Inadequate storage infrastructure not only slows down work, but especially when introducing new technologies such as data-dependent drones used for both homeland protection and foreign security interests. , which can affect mission preparation and execution.
As AI transforms operations, the demand for data storage in the private sector is also skyrocketing. Financial companies use AI to analyze markets and manage risk, media companies personalize streaming services, agriculture to optimize crop yields through AI-powered insights, and companies that manufacture hard drives to AI is being deployed at scale in factories to optimize and increase production by diagnosing and fixing defects. In real time. Across all industries, the need for reliable storage has never been greater.
The United States must act now to secure leadership in data storage technology. The goal is to avoid a repeat of the semiconductor crisis, in which shortfalls in domestic production necessitated an urgent and costly reshoring effort in the form of the $52 billion Chip and Science Act.
Just as chips power AI processing, hard drives will be equally essential as they provide the backbone for data storage. By investing in and supporting the hard drive industry now, the United States can ensure a stable foundation for AI growth and reduce future supply chain vulnerabilities.
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The U.S. government has recently begun steps to secure this foundation, but more needs to be done. A recent White House memo acknowledged the importance of a robust AI ecosystem and the need to strengthen the private sector's competitive advantages, from access to chips to the availability of capital and computational resources. It is being
A key area of advantage to maintain is the data storage industry, where the largest companies are driving innovation and technology leadership in the United States and like-minded countries. As China continues to invest heavily in data processing and storage technology, it is imperative that the United States understand and support this unique capability, which is fundamental to emerging technologies, including cloud and AI.
The defense and homeland security sectors rely on data-intensive AI systems to make real-time decisions in life-or-death situations. Satellite data and surveillance feeds require large storage capacities, and the U.S. military's AI integration relies on reliable, secure, high-capacity hard drives.
To maintain its edge, the U.S. government must consider hard drive and data storage technologies as essential components of the broader critical technology ecosystem. Future or existing government incentives will be made available to hard drive manufacturers to expand domestic production capacity, strengthen supply chain resiliency, and encourage long-term storage and retention policies that contribute to AI reliability. must be.
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Government agencies should also establish regular dialogue with industry leaders to ensure a clear and aligned strategy for fostering a robust data storage sector. Similar to the public support provided to the semiconductor industry, hard drive manufacturing deserves recognition and priority as a strategic industry essential to driving cutting-edge innovation.
As the United States charts its course for the AI era, it must prioritize the infrastructure that supports it. By recognizing and investing in this critical area, the United States can build a resilient and scalable data storage backbone that promotes national security, economic growth, and technological superiority.
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