Sen. Tim Scott to question Kevin Warsh on data centers, artificial intelligence in Senate Banking hearing

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., will host Kevin Warsh before the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday for his first testimony as Federal Reserve chairman, according to a report by CNBC Politics. Scott said he wants to hear directly from Warsh on issues tied to the growth of data centers and the expanding use of artificial intelligence across the economy.

The hearing is part of the Senate’s confirmation-and-oversight process for the Federal Reserve, with Senate Banking serving as one of the primary committees overseeing the central bank’s leadership and performance. Scott’s decision to focus on data centers and AI places questions about technology-driven investment and its downstream effects on financial markets and broader economic conditions at the center of the exchange.

Data centers have become a central piece of the infrastructure supporting cloud computing and AI services. In the committee’s frame, those investments raise questions about costs and capacity, the speed at which new facilities come online, and potential impacts on industries that depend on power, real estate, and specialized hardware.

For lawmakers, artificial intelligence adds a separate set of considerations, including how rapid adoption may influence productivity, competition, and operational risk for financial firms and other businesses. The Senate Banking Committee has jurisdictional reach over banking, capital markets, housing, and related regulatory frameworks, making the technology theme relevant to how policymakers think about the financial system’s ability to absorb change.

Scott’s emphasis on these topics comes as Warsh prepares to appear in his role as chairman, making the hearing his first Senate Banking Committee testimony in that capacity. The report describes the appearance as a direct opportunity for Scott to press Warsh on how he views technology-led economic developments and what concerns, if any, the Federal Reserve should prioritize in response.

No additional details about other witnesses or the full scope of questions were included in the report beyond the committee’s focus on data centers and artificial intelligence. The committee’s agenda and any written materials are expected to frame the specific policy questions raised during the hearing.

Following the Wednesday testimony, the next step for Senate leaders will be to assess the responses in the context of Federal Reserve oversight, with members typically using hearings to inform subsequent questions, additional oversight activity, and legislative consideration of related regulatory or economic issues.