Well, while businesses are using AI to work smarter and grow faster, Meta and Corning have an interesting partnership in this new frontier.

While Meta is considered a leader in creating AI tools, the Hickory Corning plant is the largest facility in the world providing the fiber optics and glass technology that help power the data centers and infrastructure AI depends on.

"Carolina Impact"'s Dara Khaalid and videographer Russ Hunsinger show us how they're bringing jobs to our region.

(intriguing music) - On behalf of the entire team at Corning's Trivium cable plant, I'd like to welcome you to our official groundbreaking ceremony.

- [Dara] It's a new chapter in the book Corning has been writing since 1851.

- This state-of-the-art expansion opens a new chapter in our longstanding partnership with Meta, and it demonstrates that Corning can move at the speed and scale demanded by the AI infrastructure build-out.

(group laughing) - [Dara] With shovels digging to toss fresh soil, it marks the beginning of the multi-year, up to $6 billion agreement between Corning and Meta, where Corning, the company known for innovative glass science, will provide Meta with optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions so that Meta can fast-track the build-out of advanced AI data centers across the country that source technology made in the U.S., which means Corning needs to expand its optical cable manufacturing facility in Hickory to meet the demands of its anchor customer, Meta.

- As they imagine what's possible with artificial intelligence, that then in turn enables a whole wave of new innovations in fiber and cable and connectors that we keep inventing.

- [Dara] With the opening of this facility comes new jobs.

- We're gonna hire well over 130 new employees just in this facility alone.

- [Dara] Some openings will be for advanced engineering and technology positions as well as technicians.

- Here in Hickory, it's a combination of skilled workers, skilled American workers, as well as building the domestic supply chain that's not just going to power the data centers that we're building today, but it's gonna power data centers and technologies in the future as technology evolves.

(upbeat music) - [Dara] I'm sure you're wondering, what is a fiber optic cable, and why does Meta need them?

So let's break it down.

Starting first at Corning's fiber factory in Concord, the largest in the world.

Number one, glass soot is put on the outside of a rod through combustion.

Two, glass is purified until it's clear with extreme heat.

Three, then that glass goes into a furnace and is stretched into optical fiber that's thinner than a hair on your head.

Four, after coating it with color, spools of it that are miles long are taken to cable facilities run by Corning, like the one in Hickory.

Five, this is where strands of fiber are blended into a full cable, wrapping up the process.

When customers like Meta receive them, the fiber optic cables are ready to... - Either provide the connections between data centers or interconnect within data centers.

- [Dara] As Corning and Meta continue to transform the AI landscape across the globe, the impact will most definitely be felt in our region with Corning's expansion here.

- We're proud that it's here in Hickory, but it's more than just the Hickory people that benefit from this.

The investment in the community is felt in other communities as well.

(upbeat music) - We decided to come to downtown Newton to talk to people about their thoughts on the new expansion, like recent college grads.

- With what's going on in the economy overall within the whole United States, that is great for the state itself, North Carolina, even with the housing market, that will bring in more people.

- [Dara] Those who've been in the workforce for years.

- There are people here who are looking for jobs who will be excited to fill those positions.

- Hey ladies, everything okay today?

Everything tastes good?

- [Dara] And business owners.

- New faces, meeting new people.

Great for business, of course.

(lively music) - [Dara] Donna Zamora co-owns the recently opened Mexican restaurant, Chilangos.

- Our grand opening was about a week and a half ago, so yeah, here.

So we've not been here too long in Newton yet.

And it's Taco Tuesday today.

Has anybody been taking advantage of Taco Tuesday?

- [Dara] For Donna, Corning's facility expansion means the possibility of new hungry diners who can support her business.

- It's great news for everybody here, anybody that has a business here.

So I think that's gonna be great, having more business and more people spending their money in here and staying here.

(upbeat music) - [Dara] From factory floors and small-town communities across our region to data centers driving global innovation, AI's impact isn't just visible; it seems unstoppable.

For "Carolina Impact," I'm Dara Khaalid.