AI 热潮推动美国资料中心（data centers）以前所未有的速度扩建，但真正的瓶颈在熟练技工：electricians、plumbers、HVAC（heating and cooling）技术员。Bureau of Labor Statistics（BLS）估计 2024–2034 年间，美国每年平均约缺口 81,000 名 electricians（以未补职缺衡量），同时预测 electricians 就业人数在未来 10 年成长 9%。此类供需落差把「AI 人才战」从研究员与工程师延伸到建造与维运 AI 基础设施的人力。

McKinsey 估计 2023–2030 年美国额外需要 130,000 名受训 electricians、240,000 名 construction laborers、150,000 名 construction supervisors。International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers（IBEW）指出，部分地方分会面临单一资料中心专案需动员其现有会员数的 2 倍、3 倍、甚至 4 倍。United Association 表示资料中心专案目前对人力的需求高于任何单一产业，而 Associated Builders and Contractors 的首席经济学家 Anirban Basu 把长期短缺归因于「silver tsunami」：高技能 baby boomers 集中退休、技艺传承减弱。

Google 宣布资助 Electrical Training Alliance（金额未公开），目标在 2030 年前协助 100,000 名现有 electricians 升级技能并培训 30,000 名新 apprentices，并称此计划可使该工种规模在未来数年增加约 70%。Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association（PHCC）与 National Electrical Contractors Association（NECA）强调资料中心工期严格、错误成本高，限制学徒在工地边做边学的承受度，因而需要更严格的前置训练。资料中心通常提供较高薪酬与 overtime，且付款方常为 Amazon、Google 等大型公司，推升跨雇主流动与竞争；同时，完工后通常仅保留 24 h（around the clock）小型维运团队。需求在 AI 热潮转弱或景气衰退时是否急降仍不确定。

The AI boom is accelerating US data-center construction, but the binding constraint is skilled trades: electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates an average annual shortfall of about 81,000 electricians from 2024–2034 (unfilled jobs) while projecting electrician employment growth of 9% over the next decade. This shifts the “AI talent war” from researchers and engineers to the workforce that builds and maintains AI’s physical infrastructure.

McKinsey estimates that from 2023–2030 the US will need an additional 130,000 trained electricians, plus 240,000 construction laborers and 150,000 construction supervisors. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) reports local affiliates facing single data-center projects requiring 2×, 3×, or even 4× their current membership. The United Association says data centers demand more workers than any other single industry, while Associated Builders and Contractors chief economist Anirban Basu attributes the long-running shortage to a “silver tsunami” of highly skilled baby boomer retirements and weaker generational skill transfer.

Google is funding the Electrical Training Alliance (amount undisclosed) to help 100,000 existing electricians upskill and to train 30,000 new apprentices by 2030, claiming an estimated 70% increase in trade size in coming years. PHCC and NECA stress that strict schedules and high error costs reduce tolerance for on-site learning, pushing more rigorous pre-assignment training. Data-center work often pays more via overtime and fast payment from firms like Amazon or Google, intensifying job switching and competition; after buildout, facilities typically keep only small 24 h (around-the-clock) operations and maintenance crews. Demand durability remains uncertain if the AI boom wanes or a recession hits.