Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming all aspects of modern life — from virtual assistants to the data centers that power it. With the evolution and outgrowth of AI comes increasing demand for reliable energy – and lots of it. As the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the United States, ExxonMobil is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge.

Last week, CEO and Chairman Darren Woods joined President Trump, U.S. Cabinet officials, United States Senator David McCormick, and industry leaders at the first Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit to highlight the critical role of energy in driving innovation.

While AI is accelerating energy demand, the world was already on a path to require significantly more energy by 2050. Today, more than four billion people live in energy poverty — lacking access to reliable, affordable power.

“AI is an accelerant, a catalyst to recognize what is a much bigger issue with respect to energy availability, affordability, and reliability,” explained Darren. “As people raise their standards of living, more and more energy is going to be required. And there’s going to be a bigger and bigger challenge to meet that demand, particularly when you think about traditional sources, which are going to continue to play a significant role in meeting that demand.”

Panelists (from left to right) U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Bechtel CEO Brendan Bechtel, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and Google Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat discuss powering the AI revolution.

ExxonMobil is uniquely positioned to help power low carbon data centers by using natural gas power generation, abated by carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). We own and operate the largest integrated CCS system in the U.S., spanning more than 1,000 miles of pipeline connecting customers and permanent storage sites along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

More broadly, we're investing to meet growing energy demand. We plan to increase global production from 3.7 million barrels per day in 2023 to 5.4 million barrels per day by 2030 – which is enough to power about 150 million U.S. homes. This includes doubling production in the Permian Basin to approximately 2.3 million barrels per day by the end of the decade. And we have plans to double our liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio to 40 MTA (million tonnes per annum). These investments can provide society with the energy sources it increasingly needs for flexible, reliable and on-demand power.

But continuing to meet this growing demand requires supportive policy. Today’s U.S. permitting processes are often slow and burdened by outdated regulations. Projects that could enhance energy security and create high-paying jobs can be delayed for years — not because of technical challenges, but because of red tape.

With smarter, faster permitting, companies like ExxonMobil can continue to invest in projects that help make the United States a global energy leader.

As AI redefines what’s possible, reliable energy remains the foundation. ExxonMobil is ready to deliver.