Elon Musk and GOP Leaders Grapple with AI's Energy Demands Amid National Security Concerns

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk met with Republican members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday morning to discuss issues surrounding energy and artificial intelligence, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

Following the meeting, Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie emphasized that their discussions centered on the energy needs essential for the further development of AI in the United States. Guthrie underscored the significance of these requirements as a matter of national security, stating, "This is a national security issue we must resolve—and we need to find bipartisan ways to do it."

Although speculation had surrounded Musk's potential future involvement in a governmental role, particularly under a future administration, Guthrie clarified that no such topics were broached. "Regrettably, we didn't have enough time to delve into that, although we had hoped to discuss it," Guthrie noted.

The meeting produced mixed reactions among lawmakers. Republican Representative Buddy Carter described the dialogue as standard fare regarding AI, stating, "It was typical AI chatter—what energy we need, how much, and where to get it. To be honest, it was a bit dull."