Technology companies are investing heavily in artificial-intelligence data centres, but the article argues that shortages of construction workers, electricians and factory technicians could constrain their plans. It presents the AI boom as a major opportunity for skilled trades, rather than one driven solely by software engineers and coders.

Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are expected to spend about $700 billion this year on AI-related infrastructure, excluding wider investment in electricity-grid upgrades and semiconductor production. The article says meeting this demand will require expanded apprenticeship and training programmes to supply the workers needed to build and maintain the infrastructure.