‘We’re in the fourth revolution’: GSU professor explains S.E. Georgia’s new role in the global AI race

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Southeast Georgia has unexpectedly become the newest front line in a multi-billion-dollar global cold war over artificial intelligence.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, Georgia now ranks third in the nation for planned data center development.

This infrastructure rush is driven by a global scramble to secure computing power, which national security experts say is now the ultimate geopolitical currency.

“We’re in a fourth revolution in terms of industrial development. Society is moving more and more towards this manipulation of information as their primary sort of economic activity. You see this happening in Russia, in China, North Korea, and Iran as well to a certain extent,” said Dr. Jose de Arimateia da Cruz, a professor of international relations at Georgia Southern University and a associate director for operation environment security at the U.S. Army War College.

Not all data centers are built to serve artificial intelligence. Traditional facilities handle basic cloud storage and everyday business operations, while AI-dedicated data centers require much larger computing grids to process complex algorithms.

Cruz explained that artificial intelligence acts as a “force multiplier” that allows combat commanders and decision-makers to process information at lightning speeds. However, he warns that this speed comes with a high price.

“If I have the ability to get into any database or any kind of system and corrupt the data, then the information comes out, it’s going to be essentially false or wrong,” Cruz said.

He warned that peer competitors like China, Russia, and even threats beyond nation-states could exploit this vulnerability to promote misinformation, disguise dormant cyberattacks inside critical systems, and cause chaos.

Cruz warned of the “democratization of destruction,” where advanced AI tools could help non-state actors, terrorists, or organized crime access and construct dangerous materials—such as synthetic biology and pathogens—using inexpensive, easily obtained online gene-splicing kits.

Beyond the digital threats, Cruz worries of the resources needed to power data centers and if local communities can sustain them.

“We have a serious problem with our critical infrastructure. We are years and years behind development,” Cruz said.

To maintain Georgia’s competitive edge, state leaders have actively protected lucrative tax incentives. Governor Brian Kemp recently vetoed bipartisan state legislation that would have paused sales tax exemptions on high-tech data center equipment in Georgia.

As communities in Effingham, Bulloch and Wayne counties navigate these massive deals, Cruz urges residents to continue asking local leaders and data center companies questions.

“The public is doing the right thing. Continue to ask questions, continue to ask questions, and don’t just settle for the simplistic answers,” Cruz said.