A report released June 19 by the American Cement Association’s market intelligence team predicts the U.S. will need approximately one million metric tons of cement to construct data centers that will house Artificial Intelligence technology over the next few years. Data centers are typically built with high volumes of concrete due to their unique design considerations.  

Analysts also found that over the past decade, inflation-adjusted spending on data centers has grown by nearly 850 percent, with a 55 percent jump last year alone. By 2027, forecasters expect the number of data centers in the U.S. to reach 6,000. Currently, there are 5,426. Annual spending on data centers is now around $27.4 billion.

“President Trump has said he’s determined to make the U.S. the global leader in AI, and America’s cement manufacturers want to provide the materials to build the infrastructure necessary to make that possible,” said Mike Ireland, ACA’s President and CEO.

“Such facilities are engineered primarily for function and resilience. Concrete—made with cement—is the optimal construction material, as it is fire resistant, offers thermal stability, provides unparalleled physical security, and has long-term structural integrity. There really is no other viable material for such an important nationwide effort.”

Other findings included in the ACA report include:

•    Data centers accounted for 4.4 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption in 2023 and could consume between 7 and 12 percent by 2028.  

•    Virtually every state will benefit from data center construction over the next three years. However, there are a few states that far exceed the rest in anticipated projects over the next three years. In descending order, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, and Ohio are all positioned to benefit from data center expansion.

•    In 2014, data centers accounted for just under 4 percent of office-related construction spending; by 2024 they surpassed 26 percent and are on track to reach 38.6 percent by 2027.

•    Data centers directly bolster construction but also indirectly support economic and construction activity, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas. The multiplier effect results in more retail, utility, infrastructure, and housing construction. Furthermore, the presence of data centers can attract technology firms and service providers, fostering a regional ecosystem of innovation, talent, and support industries.

View the entire ACA report on AI Infrastructure here.