Podcast Episode
Powell McCormick framed artificial intelligence as a fundamental transformation for the human race that demands both caution and responsibility. Her message represents a notable departure from the typical competitive rhetoric that dominates Silicon Valley, suggesting that the stakes of AI development are too high for companies to work in isolation.
The Vistra deal provides financial support for operating nuclear power plants at the Perry and Davis-Besse facilities in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania, extending their operational lifespan and increasing energy production. Power purchases under these agreements will begin in late 2026, with additional capacity added to the grid through 2034.
The TerraPower agreement, involving the nuclear startup co-founded by Bill Gates, will fund two development projects that could begin generating power by 2032. Meanwhile, Oklo's advanced nuclear technology campus in Pike County, Ohio, is expected to come online as soon as 2030, potentially adding up to 1.2 gigawatts of clean baseload power directly into the regional electricity market.
Looking further ahead, Meta has hinted at plans for Hyperion, a 5 gigawatt AI cluster planned for 2028 that would require the equivalent energy output of five large-scale nuclear reactors. These projects illustrate the extraordinary scale of Meta's AI infrastructure roadmap and the company's commitment to competing with rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft in the race for advanced AI capabilities.
She emphasised the economic opportunity this represents, particularly for cities that have faced prolonged job losses. The infrastructure investments required to support AI development could revitalise manufacturing regions and create substantial numbers of skilled jobs in electrical work, construction, and technology sectors.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg tasked her with helping manage the company's multi-billion-dollar investments and collaborating with governments and sovereign entities on AI infrastructure projects. Her role is particularly focused on partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta's AI and infrastructure.
This collaborative approach represents a notable strategic position for Meta as the company accelerates its AI ambitions. Whether this call for cooperation gains traction among competing tech giants remains to be seen, but the appointment of a figure with Powell McCormick's government relations expertise suggests Meta is taking seriously the need to work with regulators and policymakers as AI capabilities advance.
Meta's New President Calls for AI Industry Collaboration to Centre Humanity
January 20, 2026
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Meta Platforms has appointed Dina Powell McCormick as its first ever president and vice chairman, marking a significant shift in how the tech giant approaches artificial intelligence development. In her first public interview since joining the company on 12 January 2026, Powell McCormick called on AI competitors to work together and put humanity at the centre of their efforts, signalling a new era of potential collaboration in an otherwise fiercely competitive industry.
A Team Effort Requiring Unprecedented Coordination
Speaking at the World Economic Forum's 56th Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Powell McCormick characterised AI development as a team effort that cannot succeed without coordination among major technology players, governments, and the energy sector. She emphasised that this transformation cannot be achieved without the necessary energy infrastructure, collaboration among major players, and governmental involvement.Powell McCormick framed artificial intelligence as a fundamental transformation for the human race that demands both caution and responsibility. Her message represents a notable departure from the typical competitive rhetoric that dominates Silicon Valley, suggesting that the stakes of AI development are too high for companies to work in isolation.
Nuclear Energy Deals to Power AI Infrastructure
Meta is backing this vision with substantial infrastructure investments. Earlier in January 2026, the company announced landmark nuclear energy agreements with Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo that could generate more than 6.6 gigawatts of power by 2035. This represents the single largest corporate commitment to nuclear power in history.The Vistra deal provides financial support for operating nuclear power plants at the Perry and Davis-Besse facilities in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania, extending their operational lifespan and increasing energy production. Power purchases under these agreements will begin in late 2026, with additional capacity added to the grid through 2034.
The TerraPower agreement, involving the nuclear startup co-founded by Bill Gates, will fund two development projects that could begin generating power by 2032. Meanwhile, Oklo's advanced nuclear technology campus in Pike County, Ohio, is expected to come online as soon as 2030, potentially adding up to 1.2 gigawatts of clean baseload power directly into the regional electricity market.
The Prometheus Supercluster and Beyond
These nuclear deals are designed to power Meta's Prometheus AI supercluster, a 1 gigawatt facility under construction in New Albany, Ohio, expected to start operations in 2026. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has stated the company will invest hundreds of billions of dollars in AI compute infrastructure over the coming years in pursuit of what he calls superintelligence.Looking further ahead, Meta has hinted at plans for Hyperion, a 5 gigawatt AI cluster planned for 2028 that would require the equivalent energy output of five large-scale nuclear reactors. These projects illustrate the extraordinary scale of Meta's AI infrastructure roadmap and the company's commitment to competing with rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft in the race for advanced AI capabilities.
Workforce Transformation and Economic Opportunity
Powell McCormick highlighted workforce demands as a key challenge in the AI buildout. Referencing an AI-energy summit she organised in Pittsburgh with her husband, Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, she noted that industry leaders agreed this new computing era will demand 500,000 electricians across the country.She emphasised the economic opportunity this represents, particularly for cities that have faced prolonged job losses. The infrastructure investments required to support AI development could revitalise manufacturing regions and create substantial numbers of skilled jobs in electrical work, construction, and technology sectors.
A Unique Background for a Transformative Role
Powell McCormick brings a distinctive combination of government and finance experience to her new role. She served as deputy national security adviser during President Trump's first term and held senior positions under President George W. Bush. Prior to joining Meta, she spent 16 years in senior leadership roles at Goldman Sachs. She also served on Meta's board of directors from April to December 2025 before transitioning to her current executive position.CEO Mark Zuckerberg tasked her with helping manage the company's multi-billion-dollar investments and collaborating with governments and sovereign entities on AI infrastructure projects. Her role is particularly focused on partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta's AI and infrastructure.
The Call for Responsible Development
Powell McCormick stated her decision to join Meta stemmed from her conviction that a transformation in humanity is underway. She acknowledged that the risks and benefits of AI have grown significant enough to require collaboration among competitors even as they vie for market dominance, urging the technology sector to be cautious and responsible in guiding AI toward a more productive and peaceful future.This collaborative approach represents a notable strategic position for Meta as the company accelerates its AI ambitions. Whether this call for cooperation gains traction among competing tech giants remains to be seen, but the appointment of a figure with Powell McCormick's government relations expertise suggests Meta is taking seriously the need to work with regulators and policymakers as AI capabilities advance.
Published January 20, 2026 at 2:34am
