The AI economy is entering a broader phase as artificial intelligence moves beyond technology companies and into healthcare, manufacturing, financial services and other parts of the economy. At the same time, growing demand for computing power is highlighting physical constraints around electricity, semiconductors and critical materials.
In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido speaks with Jay Jacobs, BlackRock’s US Head of Equity ETFs, about how the AI economy is evolving. They discuss where AI adoption is taking hold, what can distinguish productive implementation from investment without clear results, and why infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to the AI build-out.
The conversation also examines the intersection of AI investing, physical infrastructure, megaforces and capital markets—from data centers and power generation to robotics, autonomous vehicles and digital assets.
Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Where AI Is Heading Next
02:07 Defining AI Economy
03:33 From Experiments to Profits
05:07 Potato Chip AI Playbook
06:50 Healthcare Adoption Surge
08:21 Power and Materials Crunch
11:19 Physics Limits and Solutions
12:52 Robots and Autonomous Future
14:01 How Investors Position Now
15:36 Digital Assets Meet AI
17:31 What Comes Next for AI
19:39 Wrap Up and Disclosures
Key insights:
· How AI adoption is broadening beyond the technology sector.
· Why having a defined use case can matter when companies deploy AI.
· Where power, copper and specialized materials may create physical constraints.
· How healthcare and manufacturing are applying AI to complex processes.
· Why robotics and autonomous vehicles represent a shift toward physical AI.
· How digital assets could support machine-to-machine transactions and micropayments.
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AI economy, AI investing, AI adoption, infrastructure, megaforces, capital markets, artificial intelligence
Sources: 2026 Thematic Mid-Year Update “Welcome to the AI Economy”, iShares.com;
This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.
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