O'Leary's not just hawking watches on TV. He's onto something huge – something that could redefine America's future in the AI race. No hype, all power — and we mean that literally. He's right: the future is powered by energy, and the way Bitcoin miners are thinking about it is a blueprint for AI dominance.

AI Needs Power, Crypto Solves It

Let’s be brutally honest: America's power grid is a joke. We’re discussing—figuratively speaking—dial-up internet provider service in a 5G world. Meanwhile, China is quickly building new coal plants to feed their ambitious AI plans. In the meantime, we’re all paddling upstream, arguing over solar panels and wind turbines. O'Leary sees the glaring problem: AI devours energy. One ChatGPT prompt? It’s a power-suck compared to a basic Google search.

From the start, miners have been scrambling to find the cheapest most reliable power possible. They've pioneered solutions for industrial-scale energy procurement, often in places where traditional industries wouldn't dare to tread. They’ve already solved part of the problem! They have the existing infrastructure, the expertise and the increasing angst to locate the lowest cost kilowatt.

Think about it: Bitcoin miners are essentially energy arbitrageurs, constantly seeking out the most cost-effective power sources. This never-ending drive for efficiency goes hand in hand with the interests of the AI industry. This is not the case of Bitcoin vs AI, but rather Bitcoin being the key to AI. It's a symbiotic relationship waiting to explode. Consider untapped natural gas in Alberta to run AI data mines in Montana. That's not just efficient; it's brilliant.

States Hold Keys to Power Future

Forget Washington gridlock. The truth is that the real action is at the state level. O’Leary’s right to call out states like New York for honestly having dropped the bag at first. They made a big show of slamming the door on Bitcoin mining. In the process, they came dangerously close to locking in a future dictated by AI. Things are changing. Equally forward-thinking states such as West Virginia, North Dakota, Mississippi—and of course Texas—are starting to stir. They’re starting to figure out that recruiting for Bitcoin miners is really recruiting the future of AI.

Why? Because like investment and expertise, these miners come with a voracious appetite for power. They generate a political demand that drives innovation and infrastructure development. They're the canaries in the coal mine (pun intended!), signaling where the future of energy – and AI – is headed.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gets it. Doug Burgum, Kevin Stitt – like them, you understand the opportunity. They understand that when they go after Bitcoin mining, it’s not just about the crypto. It’s about making sure this creates a foundation for an AI-linked economy that creates good jobs and boosts innovation. These leaders are the ones who are playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

From Halving to AI: Miners Evolve

The Bitcoin halving event? It's not the end of the world for miners. It's a catalyst for evolution. Confronted by the reality of rent and wages rising but profit margins getting tighter, they’re getting pushed to pivot. And where are they diversifying? Into AI and cloud computing. Companies like Core Scientific, Hive Digital, and Hut 8 aren't just mining Bitcoin; they're building the infrastructure of the future.

They're taking their existing Bitcoin mining operations – often located near abundant energy sources with established industrial-scale power connectivity – and retrofitting them with GPUs to power AI applications. This is not just a hypothetical, far-fetched concept; it’s already in practice.

This isn't just about profit. It's about national security. America has everything to lose in the AI arms race with China. In order to do so, we must fully unlock the potential of Bitcoin mining. To realize these wins, we have to reward ingenuity, simplify the regulatory maze, and welcome the collaboration between these two sectors.

O’Leary isn’t just speaking the language of profit — he’s speaking the language of victory. In doing so, he’s charting a course to ensure America’s success in the age of AI. And it all begins with realizing the transformative potential of Bitcoin mining. It’s high time to wake up and smell the opportunity tea.