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The rapid expansion of AI data centers across the United States is creating an unexpected security problem, with organized thieves increasingly targeting construction sites for valuable copper wiring and specialized infrastructure equipment worth millions of dollars.

Authorities recently recovered two stolen trailers near Chicago containing approximately $1.3 million in data center supplies. The haul included about $300,000 worth of copper wire stolen in Alabama and another trailer carrying roughly $1 million in infrastructure equipment taken from Florida. The thefts highlight how the AI construction boom has become an attractive target for organized cargo crime.

The incidents are part of a much larger problem affecting supply chains across the country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates that cargo theft costs American businesses around $35 billion annually, and the surge in AI infrastructure projects is creating new opportunities for criminals seeking high-value materials.

Copper has become one of the most desirable targets because of its rising value and widespread use in electrical infrastructure. Modern AI data centers require enormous quantities of copper wiring, power equipment, cooling systems, and networking hardware before servers are installed, making construction sites particularly vulnerable while materials are stored or transported.

The thefts come as data center construction accelerates to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence computing. Major technology companies are investing billions of dollars in new facilities to support increasingly powerful AI models, creating a steady flow of expensive equipment moving between manufacturers, warehouses, and construction sites.

The AI data center boom has already faced criticism from communities concerned about electricity demand, water consumption, and environmental impacts. Security experts now say companies may also need to devote greater resources to protecting construction materials and supply chains as organized theft becomes more common.

With billions of dollars being invested in AI infrastructure over the coming years, preventing cargo theft is likely to become an increasingly important challenge for developers. As construction continues to expand nationwide, protecting valuable materials before facilities become operational may prove just as important as securing the data centers themselves.