10 11 ENACT DC drew on the diverse experience and deep expertise of its participants to identify the key areas that should inform a roadmap for action on energy and AI. The opening plenary discussion focused on maximizing the contribution of existing energy infrastructure - specifically, repowering and extending the lifespans of older power plants to bridge the generation gap in the short-term. AI-enabled digital twins and grid-enhancing technologies were identified as effective means, within a pool of options, to address near-term grid constraints. On the demand side, participants discussed implementing flexible compute and incentivizing consumers to manage their energy usage. The importance of public support for data center build-out was well-recognized, and ensuring energy prices remained affordable through transparent beneficiary-pays models. The second plenary shifted focus to the long-term, starting with a discussion of the factors that might determine the location of the next wave of data centers, and moving to the need for more innovative financial mechanisms to more effectively and equitably allocate risks and increase capital flows. The need for smarter regulation that reduces risk and enables faster decision- making was highlighted throughout the day. Roadmap for action 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Investing in the Long Term 2030-2050 Participants emphasized that AI is as crucial for energy as energy is for AI. They focused on AI’s potential to maximize existing capacity, streamline regulatory processes, and help government employees develop skills for an increasingly complex environment. High- quality data emerged as essential across all applications - both for training and deploying specialized AI in the energy sector and for accelerating next-generation energy technologies that operate within physical principles. In short, AI requires a new energy leadership approach. Participants were clear: we must move faster, build smarter, and work more creatively than ever before. The opportunity is enormous, but our window to act is narrow. We must move faster, build smarter and collaborate more creatively than ever before. Unattributed quote We’re not here to talk - we’re here to enact. Unattributed quote 3. Developing a smart energy economy: Buildings, transport, and industry will drive 60-70% of new energy demand to 2050 as the economy electrifies. A smarter energy system - including much greater reliance on AI-enabled demand-response - would unlock capacity for high-value energy users to drive prosperity. 4. Accelerating next-generation technologies: AI has the potential to accelerate advances in material science, carbon management, future generation, and storage technologies. AI can catalyze next-generation technologies, potentially through greater use of open-source research, resulting in a more efficient, less carbon- intensive energy system that powers progress. 1. Optimally siting the next wave of infrastructure: 50% of new data centers are being built in areas with significant constraints. Locating future data centers outside existing clusters would better solve for energy and other resource factors, whilst providing an opportunity to optimize the build-out of increasingly complex power grids and having a positive impact on job creation and carbon emissions. 2. Building a 21st century grid: A step-change in design, investment, and operation is required to deliver an affordable, reliable and sustainable power grid that is connected to reliable sources, efficiently moves electrons, and uses data (photons) as a low-cost way of moving processed energy. In the longer term, power demand will continue to grow but the pace and nature of that growth becomes increasingly uncertain beyond 2030, particularly for AI-driven data center compute, given underlying uncertainties such as compute capacity, its efficiency, utilization, and location. The successful build-out of data centers and AI-related energy infrastructure will require a holistic, data-driven, location-based approach that takes “the path of least resistance”, in conjunction with an economy-wide energy policy and support for next generation technologies. ENACT identified four priority areas for the long-term: