INDIANA– Governor Mike Braun has issued a strong call for Indiana to move swiftly to become a national leader in artificial intelligence (AI), stating that the state’s success hinges on immediately bolstering its energy, infrastructure, and innovation capabilities.
In an interview with Inside Indiana Business, Braun outlined his strategy, which heavily emphasizes the foundational role of data centers—the power-intensive engines that drive AI development.
“The future of data centers is essential if we want to be a player in AI,” Braun said. “We don’t just use AI – we help develop it.”
The governor emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that global competitors, such as China, are rapidly advancing. “If we don’t get ahead now, we’ll be catching up for decades.”
Addressing the Energy Challenge
Braun highlighted the immense strain data centers place on utilities, noting that a single facility can require up to one gigawatt of electricity, a capacity that “No state has… readily available.”
To meet this demand for reliable power, Braun is advocating for the adoption of small modular nuclear reactors, although he acknowledges that they are still years away. In the interim, he supports using a mix of existing energy sources, including coal, natural gas, wind, and solar.
The ‘Quantum Corridor’ and Future Tech
As part of his infrastructure strategy, Braun is promoting the “Quantum Corridor,” a strategic technology zone stretching across the state from Indiana’s western border through Lafayette, Indianapolis, and Bloomington, and down to the Crane Naval Base.
Looking to the future, the governor identified biosciences, microelectronics, and quantum technology as the key sectors that will drive Indiana’s economy.
“This is going to be the Indiana economic story that unfolds over the next three and a half years – and well beyond,” Braun concluded.
