Experts Discuss Challenges and Innovations in the AI Supply Chain at Milken Conference

May 7, 2026

AI Summary

At the Milken Global Conference, five leaders in the AI sector addressed critical challenges facing the industry, including chip shortages and energy constraints. They also explored innovative approaches to AI architecture and the implications of physical AI on national sovereignty.

Five industry leaders participated in a discussion at the Milken Global Conference, focusing on the AI supply chain and its challenges.
Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML, noted that the AI boom is facing supply limitations in chip manufacturing, which may persist for the next few years.
Francis deSouza, COO of Google Cloud, highlighted the rapid growth of demand for cloud services, with Google Cloud's revenue reaching $20 billion last quarter and a backlog of $460 billion.
Qasar Younis, CEO of Applied Intuition, emphasized that data collection from real-world scenarios is a significant bottleneck for developing autonomy systems, rather than silicon shortages.
DeSouza mentioned that Google is exploring space-based data centers to address energy constraints, despite the engineering challenges involved.
Eve Bodnia, a quantum physicist, is developing energy-based models (EBMs) that aim to better mimic human reasoning compared to traditional large language models (LLMs).
Dimitry Shevelenko discussed how Perplexity has evolved into a digital worker platform, emphasizing the importance of control and security in AI systems.
Younis raised concerns about the geopolitical implications of physical AI, noting that countries are wary of foreign control over autonomous systems within their borders.
Fouquet pointed out that while China is advancing in AI, it faces limitations in chip manufacturing due to a lack of access to advanced lithography technology.
The panel concluded with optimistic views on how AI could enhance creativity and address significant societal challenges, despite concerns about its impact on future job markets.

ai economysupply chainchip shortagesdata centerstech architecture

Experts Discuss Challenges and Innovations in the AI Supply Chain at Milken Conference

Related Stories

Global Equities Rise Amid AI Optimism Despite Iran Conflict

Robinhood files for second venture fund aimed at retail investors

General Motors lays off IT staff to hire employees with AI expertise

GitLab plans job cuts to invest in AI growth opportunities