The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the American economy is likely to cause some upheaval, but some surprising trends will appear too, according to one expert.

GRAY COUNTY, Texas (KVII) — What was once open land in Gray County is quickly being transformed into Google’s Meitner Energy Center, a project local officials say will bring jobs, investment and long-term growth to the Texas Panhandle.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 11: Mike Rowe, the founder of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation speaks during a panel at the BlackRock Infrastructure Summit on March 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The global investment management company held the summit consisting of leaders from government, business, and labor to address expanding U.S. infrastructure. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A new workforce training center in Texas is expanding a short pathway into data center jobs, a field its backers said could be a good fit for veterans leaving the military with maintenance, electrical, mechanical or operations experience.

Growth in data center construction far outpaced overall construction activity in Texas since 2022, according to the Dallas Fed.

TEXAS — Amid the data center boom, there has been a lot of talk about whether that will bring jobs to the Lone Star State.