A tech-friendly group, the AI Infrastructure Coalition, will launch Wednesday evening with a reception near the White House, to advocate for “every layer of the AI tech stack — from semiconductor manufacturers and energy providers to hyperscalers, data-center operators, private equity, and AI model developers.”

Why it matters: AIIC, which debuts as data centers are becoming a flashpoint nationwide, tells Axios the group will push for President Trump’s AI Action Plan and push back on increased scrutiny of the industry.

• The group, which emphasizes an American-jobs message, says it wants to “shape the future of AI infrastructure policy and advance U.S. leadership in AI,” in an effort to “ignite American economic prosperity, create high-quality jobs, and fortify our nation’s security in the AI race against China.”

Zoom in: Members of the AIIC include Andreessen Horowitz, Cisco, Corning, Digital Realty, Duke Energy, Entergy, ExxonMobil, Google, Lumen, Meta, Microsoft, NextEra, PG&E, Pinnacle West and QTS.

• The executive director is Brian O. Walsh, a longtime Republican campaign strategist who has led Congressional Leadership Fund and America First Action.

The co-chairs are former independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and former Louisiana Republican Rep. Garret Graves.

• Sinema and Graves said in a statement: “America faces a critical choice: win the AI race against China and reap the rewards — or allow China to export the technology of the future. Victory demands an all-hands effort to secure the energy and regulatory environment needed for continued prosperity.”

Read the full article here