Burgum touts AI data centers, calls Iran war ‘gift to the world’ in speech to oil industry

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum promoted AI-driven advancements like early cancer detection at the Mayo Clinic and data centers as economic drivers at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, while defending the Trump administration’s Iran war as a ‘gift to the world’ and criticizing renewable energy shifts as ‘energy subtraction.’ He dismissed concerns over water and power demands for data centers, framing them as essential for North Dakota’s coal and natural gas industries, though local leaders like Gov. Kelly Armstrong warned misinformation fuels public opposition." "article": "Interior Secretary Doug Burgum addressed the oil and gas industry at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 21, 2026, where he emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in driving energy demand and public benefits. Burgum highlighted the Mayo Clinic’s AI tool, which detects pancreatic cancer up to three years before tumors become visible by analyzing pancreas scans, calling it a potential breakthrough in early diagnosis. He framed AI and data centers—dubbed ‘manufacturing intelligence’—as critical to North Dakota’s economy, arguing they would lower electricity costs and benefit coal and natural gas industries without facing protests, as ‘no one has figured out how to protest a fiber optic cable yet.’ The event drew 2,600 attendees, with discussions centering on data centers’ economic and environmental impacts. Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, acknowledged public concerns about water use, power needs, and funding but urged businesses to engage communities to address misinformation. Burgum dismissed these concerns as a ‘red herring,’ insisting data centers would not strain resources and would instead boost local prosperity. Burgum also defended the Trump administration’s policies, calling the Iran war a ‘gift to the world’ and framing it as necessary to counter what he described as Iran’s ‘tyrannical reign.’ He criticized the global shift toward renewable energy as ‘energy subtraction,’ arguing the U.S. needed ‘energy addition’ through fossil fuels like natural gas and coal to support industries and affordability. North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Burgum’s successor, echoed concerns about public anger driven by misinformation, urging companies and officials to communicate facts and secure community buy-in. He acknowledged the inevitability of AI deployment but stressed the need for responsible implementation. Burgum’s speech reflected a broader push to align AI advancements with energy production, despite ongoing debates over sustainability and public acceptance.