### Amazon's $10 Billion Investment to Revolutionize North Carolina's Tech Scene

In a bold move to strengthen its foothold in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, Amazon announced a monumental $10 billion investment aimed at expanding its data center operations in North Carolina. The e-commerce giant's initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, is poised to create a tech hub in the region while also addressing the escalating computational demands of AI technology.

The project promises to generate at least 500 high-skilled jobs, ranging from data center engineers to network specialists and security experts. Dr. Tevfik Kosar, director of the Data Intensive Distributed Computing Laboratory at the University at Buffalo, highlighted the importance of this investment for Amazon. "It's a very competitive race since the computational costs of state-of-the-art AI models increase at a rate of 1,000 times every three years," Kosar told ABC News. "This new deal is very important for Amazon to increase their crucial AI compute resources."

Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina expressed his approval, emphasizing the state's dedication to staying ahead in technological innovation. "Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work and innovate, and I am pleased that North Carolina will stay at the forefront of all that's ahead as we continue to attract top technology companies like Amazon," he remarked.

This investment, one of the largest in the history of North Carolina, is anticipated to deliver a significant economic boost, particularly to Richmond County. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of such large-scale data centers, which typically require substantial power and water resources. "Any new investments in data centers should follow state-of-the-art sustainability practices and address the concerns of local communities," Kosar cautioned.

David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer, reassured that the company remains committed to the region. "Amazon's $10 billion investment in North Carolina underscores our commitment to driving innovation and advancing the future of cloud computing and AI technologies," he said. "This investment will position North Carolina as a hub for cutting-edge technology, create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, and drive significant economic growth."

Amazon has had a strong presence in North Carolina for more than a decade, having invested $12 billion since 2010 and contributed $13.1 billion to the state's GDP. The company supports 24,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the state, as well as over 26,000 indirect jobs.

As part of its extensive investment, Amazon will launch several community-oriented initiatives, including data center operations training programs and STEM education for K-12 students. The company is also introducing the Richmond County Community Fund, committing $150,000 to various local community projects focused on education, sustainability, and economic development.

Fengqi You, an energy engineering professor at Cornell University, views the investment as a potential game-changer for both Amazon and North Carolina. "This will bring thousands of high-quality jobs during both the construction and operational phases, spur local business growth, and attract further investments in technology and energy infrastructure," You said. He also highlighted the opportunities for setting new environmental benchmarks. "If Amazon prioritizes renewable energy and energy-efficient designs, it can set a new standard for sustainable data center development—helping both the company and the region progress toward their climate and sustainability commitments."