Energy, Minerals, and the Physical Stack Behind AI

American AI dominance and reindustrialization depend on physical infrastructure, specifically critical minerals, energy generation, and grid transmission. The United States currently trails China by 50 years in mineral supply and relies on pre-World War II mechanical grid systems. To bridge this gap, former Tesla executives Turner Caldwell of Mariana Minerals and Drew Baglino of Heron Power argue for integrating software-first methodologies—such as reinforcement learning and autonomous control—into mining and power electronics. These innovations replace labor-intensive, archaic processes with high-efficiency, automated systems. Achieving this requires durable industrial policy, co-located supply chains, and a shift toward viewing the grid as a strategic national project. By applying the "Tesla model" of rapid, risk-tolerant iteration to foundational industries, the US can modernize its industrial backbone and secure the physical resources necessary for the future AI economy.