Imagine this.
You open your phone in the morning. You check the news, your bank account, your health app, your navigation system. Maybe later you use AI to help write an email, translate a document, plan a trip, or solve a work problem.
All of this feels invisible. Effortless. Automatic.
But behind every one of these services stands something very physical: massive data centers, power plants, fiber networks, and computer chips. These are the factories of the digital age. And right now, countries around the world are racing to build them.
This race matters to you more than you might think. It affects your job prospects, your energy bill, your pension, your children’s careers, and your country’s independence.
Today, the United States is winning that race. China is running hard. France is catching up. Germany is falling behind. And the consequences will last for decades.
Why Computing Power Is The New Oil
In the 20th century, economic power was built on oil, steel, and factories. In the 21st century, it is built on computing power.
Artificial intelligence, digital services, medical research, modern defense systems, financial trading, and industrial automation all depend on enormous computing capacity.
That capacity lives in data centers—huge buildings filled with servers that run day and night.
Whoever controls these centers controls productivity, innovation, and influence.
Think of them as the power plants and ports of the digital world. Countries that build them attract high-paying jobs, advanced industries, and global investment. Countries that don’t become customers—renting technology from others.
America Understood This Early
In Washington, policymakers have recognized that technology infrastructure is now a national priority. Under President Trump’s renewed focus on “AI sovereignty,” the U.S. government is coordinating permits, energy supply, defense contracts, and private investment to accelerate construction of data centers and chip facilities.
Power plants are being expanded. Regulations are streamlined. Investors are encouraged. Military and intelligence agencies guarantee long-term demand. This is not random. It is a strategy. China has spent years building state-backed technology infrastructure. The United States is now responding with its own system—using private companies but guiding them toward national goals.
An entire “AI ecosystem” is emerging: cloud providers, energy companies, chipmakers, construction firms, logistics networks, and software developers working in sync. Since President Trump declared it strategic, it is becoming one of America’s strongest economic weapons.
America Leads, France Moves, And Germany Hesitates
In Europe, France has taken notice. Paris has simplified approval procedures, supported large projects, and linked its strong nuclear energy system to digital growth.
President Emmanuel Macron speaks openly about “technological sovereignty.”
Germany, however, remains stuck. Major projects are delayed for years. Power connections are uncertain. Local authorities block grid expansions. Environmental reviews become endless political fights. Investors cannot plan.
As a result, companies choose to build elsewhere—often in France, Scandinavia, or the United States. Germany still talks about digitalization. But in practice, it governs like it is still living in the 1990s.
When Everyone Can Say No, Nothing Gets Built
One of Germany’s biggest problems is its fragmented decision-making system.
Local councils, regional offices, and activist groups all have the power to stop major infrastructure projects. What was once meant to protect communities now prevents national progress. A single municipality can delay a billion-euro investment. A small agency can block a power line. A protest group can halt years of planning.
In today’s fast-moving technology race, this is not responsible democracy. It is self-inflicted weakness. Other major powers do not operate this way. They coordinate.
Germany paralyzes itself.
Why This Hurts Ordinary People
This is not just about technology companies. When data centers arrive, entire ecosystems follow: engineers, software firms, energy specialists, cybersecurity experts, financial services, and research institutes. These clusters create well-paid jobs and stable tax revenue.
When they don’t arrive, young talent leaves. Companies relocate. Local economies shrink. Germany already missed out on social media platforms, cloud giants, and advanced chip production. Now it is missing the AI infrastructure boom. Instead of exporting digital systems, Germany is increasingly importing them. That means higher costs, fewer opportunities, and greater dependence on foreign providers.
Energy Is Part Of The Problem
Another obstacle is energy policy. Germany’s exit from nuclear power, heavy reliance on wind and solar, and high electricity prices make it unattractive for large computing facilities. Data centers need reliable, affordable power—24 hours a day.
France’s nuclear plants provide stability. The U.S. is expanding gas and nuclear capacity. China never stopped building.
Germany debates. In the digital economy, energy is not just about climate policy. It is about competitiveness.
This Is Ultimately About Leadership
The real issue is political courage. Building national infrastructure always creates conflicts. Some people will object. Some local interests will be upset. Some procedures must be simplified.
Strong countries accept this. Weak ones avoid it. The U.S. is acting decisively. China never hesitates. France is learning.
Germany hesitates. It needs clear national priorities: faster permits, guaranteed power supply, coordinated financing, and limits on local vetoes for strategic projects. This is not about abandoning democracy. It is about making it capable of acting.
The Choice Ahead
The global AI race is accelerating. America is building. China is mobilizing. France is positioning. Germany is debating. If this continues, Germany risks losing its place as Europe’s economic engine.
Jobs will move. Innovation will shift. Dependence will grow. History shows that when Germany aligns engineering skill, financial strength, and political will, it succeeds. The question today is simple: Does it still have the political determination to do so?
Thomas P. Limberger is an accomplished international entrepreneur, investor, and business leader with a distinguished record of transforming and growing companies across industries. He has led organizations in energy, technology, industrial manufacturing, and private equity, building a reputation for strategic innovation, operational excellence, and value creation.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public/Jernej Furman from Slovenia, CC BY 2.0)
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