In July, Pennsylvania made headlines with a historic $90 billion investment in artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure, positioning the city of Pittsburgh and the entire state as a national hub for innovation. Now, the Keystone State has wisely realized that doing a good thing twice is a smart move politically and, more importantly, economically. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, R-Pa., delivered “AI Horizons 2025,” a sequel summit held Sept. 11–12, signaling that Pennsylvania intends to make AI investment an ongoing story of economic transformation.
AI Horizons 2025 was once again a bipartisan event featuring Governor Shapiro and Senator McCormick as headliners, with tech executives from around the country in attendance. This event built on the success of Pennsylvania’s July summit, which attracted more than 60 industry CEOs. The sequel summit leveraged Pennsylvania’s proven formula: bipartisan political unity, a focus on energy and AI infrastructure, and a systematic approach to workforce and economic development.
“We were the epicenter of growth and development and revolution because of the coal under our ground, because of the steel that we’ve made here, because of the ingenuity of our farmers,” Governor Shapiro declared at the summit. “This is the next chapter in our innovative growth as a commonwealth, which is gonna fuel growth in this country, fuel growth around the globe. And it happens because of AI.”
President Donald J. Trump, McCormick, and Shapiro may not agree on every issue, but they align on economic transformation. Pennsylvania’s July summit succeeded by following a precise playbook that combined bipartisan unity, energy assets, and a global stage to deliver billion-dollar results. This coalition created rare conditions of certainty in both policy and infrastructure investment, reassuring companies that Pennsylvania is a stable and predictable place to build the AI economy. What other states have failed to recognize is that this model is entirely replicable. The question isn’t whether Pennsylvania’s formula works—it’s which governors (whether they are the blue or red team) are bold enough to pick up the phone, call the White House, and announce their own summit.
If Pennsylvania generated a $90 billion investment, Texas should be targeting $150 billion. The Lone Star State already hosts the Trump administration’s $500 billion Stargate project, with 10 data centers currently under construction. Texas’s power demand is projected to reach 218 gigawatts by 2031 — significantly larger than what’s happening in Pennsylvania. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, working with GOP U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, could assemble a powerful Republican coalition around a massive energy and AI summit that surpasses Pennsylvania’s achievement. The infrastructure exists; what’s missing is a coordinated showcase.
Florida presents an equally compelling opportunity. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis recently described AI as “the biggest issue facing our society” and is currently developing the state’s AI strategy. As America’s fourth-largest data center hub, with strategic connectivity to Latin America and the Caribbean, Florida offers unique advantages. By collaborating with Senator Rick Scott, R-Fla., alongside Democratic leaders like Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla. — a bipartisan bridge who has been a vocal advocate for tech and innovation policy in Central Florida — the state could present a unified front to establish the Sunshine State as a global AI and energy powerhouse.
Alabama presents one of the most immediate opportunities. Republican Governor Kay Ivey recently announced Meta’s $800 million data center in Montgomery, bringing Meta’s total investment in Alabama to $1.5 billion. She also signed the Powering Growth plan, which establishes the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank to finance power infrastructure related to industrial expansion. Collaborating with Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Katie Britt, R-Ala., as well as Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala. — a key advocate for infrastructure and economic development in the Birmingham region — Alabama could leverage bipartisan momentum to host a Southern manufacturing-focused AI summit. Such a summit would unify existing projects and partnerships, signaling to global investors that Alabama is a coordinated, reliable partner ready to scale AI-driven growth.
Pennsylvania has demonstrated that this model works and shows no signs of slowing down. Their September summit secured a first-mover advantage while other states continue to rely on outdated recruitment strategies. With Washington receptive and global capital eager for clear partnerships, Pennsylvania has effectively provided the market with what it wanted: a template for rapid, coordinated growth.
The AI infrastructure boom presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformational investment, but competitive advantages can fade quickly. Two months ago, I wrote that Pittsburgh’s AI transformation could “define the next era of American industry.” Today, Pennsylvania’s sequel summit demonstrates that they are not just participating in this transformation—they are orchestrating it.
The blueprint is proven, the capital is ready, and the lines of communication to Washington are open. The question now isn’t whether other states can replicate the formula, but which leaders will move boldly enough to claim their share.
While others deliberate, Pennsylvania is already preparing for the third round.
