In this edition of The Hot Seat, Scott Mitchell and Dr. Ann Bluntzer Pullin, Ph.D., executive director of the Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University, discuss what energy security means and how it relates to artificial intelligence.

What is energy security, and how does it relate to AI?

“It is making sure there is enough energy in the world to help enable and support our allies,” said Pullin. “But then an even broader, bigger context is making sure there’s secure energy for humanity.”

She said energy security also applies to making sure companies like Google and Meta have the power they need to take advantage of artificial intelligence.

“Some of it’s life and death, literal. And the other side of it is prosper, growth, and innovate, and keep the United States leading in this area,” she said.

Is the HAMM Institute working on solutions to help fix the disparity of energy poverty globally?

Pullin said that ending energy poverty is at the heart of what they do.

“When you still have people that don’t have access to electricity … then that’s a real problem, and so you have to solve that first, “she said. “We’re not going to get there and be able to solve that unless we keep putting affordable and reliable energy at the front. of the argument in regard to energy policy. That has to happen, because when we can do that here locally and federally within our own country, that allows us to do more.”

How much are are local regulations affecting energy reform?

She said permitting reform is a key part of the solution.

“It is such a significant issue when you have an inconsistent policy, which is what we have seen over the past three decades in the United States, honestly. You see oil and gas come in favor, then out of favor. You see nuclear in favor, then out of favor. You see renewables in favor and then out of favor. And when you have that kind of inconsistency, the capital investment gets scared, and they’re not willing to take that risk,” said Pullin. “Unless there is permitting reform, ? It means that there are laws in place that can help industry be able to do this in a way that’s efficient and affordable and reliable to the consumer. What we will see, the risk of not getting the permitting correct, will be an increase in energy costs for the consumer. “

For more of the interview, watch the video player above.