LinkedIn cofounder says AI infrastructure is the 'only reason we're not in a recession'
Reid Hoffman says he's thankful for the data center buildout in the US, while many Americans are souring on it.
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman expressed gratitude for the extensive data center construction occurring across the United States. Hoffman attributed the absence of a recession to this infrastructure development. While some Americans are critical of the data center buildout, Hoffman remains thankful for the capital behind it. He stated during an appearance on the Newcomer podcast, "The only reason we're not in a recession is because of the capital behind the AI infrastructure buildout."
Most of this capital does not directly benefit the areas where data centers are being built, but rather is distributed more broadly throughout the country, creating jobs for various professionals in the construction sector. Despite the recent negative perception of data centers among rural Americans and some political pushback, Hoffman emphasizes the importance of fair treatment for local communities.
He believes that data center builders must work in good faith with these communities to ensure mutually beneficial agreements. Even though the US economy faced a challenging September jobs report, unemployment remains low, and overall economic growth is still robust. Real gross domestic product grew by 2.2% in the second quarter, and personal income is also increasing.
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