Meanwhile, while the United States and Europe are focused on re-engineering their power systems to be more energy-efficient and reliable for the AI and data processing race, many economies in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East remain dependent on energy-intensive heavy industries. The production of materials like steel, cement, and plastic continues to be a cornerstone for job creation and economic growth in these emerging markets. This divergence shapes economic structures and carves out distinct paths for the energy transition.
