Census data shows US data center jobs flat amid AI investment

Economist Mahelet G. Fikru argues that despite massive artificial intelligence investment, U.S. data center employment has remained largely flat from 2023 through 2025. Analyzing Census Bureau data for NAICS 518, the author suggests that the AI build-out is capital-intensive rather than labor-intensive, with capital expenditure largely flowing into hardware, power, and cooling systems rather than creating new operational jobs. Open article →