https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/this-graph-of-data-center-spending-compared-to-all-other-construction-will-give-you-chillsContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/this-graph-of-data-center-spending-compared-to-all-other-construction-will-give-you-chillshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/this-graph-of-data-center-spending-compared-to-all-other-construction-will-give-you-chills#u133267Sun, 18 Oct 2026 20:55:09 +0000U.S. data center construction spending has reached a record annual pace of $85 billion, marking a 73% increase in one year. This growth is driven by an AI boom that podcaster Derek Thompson describes as the primary driver of current U.S. economic growth. While data center construction grew by 64.5% and energy infrastructure grew by 4.1%, other sectors including housing, retail, and manufacturing have fallen sharply. This trend has created a split economy where AI spending supports overall growth despite regressions in most other construction categories.Why it mattersThe surge reflects a shift