Robert Pragada

Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board, Jacobs

Search every verified Robert Pragada interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In April 2026, Robert Pragada, Chair and CEO of Jacobs, appeared on the Economics of Infrastructure panel at the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C. He discussed global instability, the AI data center supply chain, and the need for investment in redundancy and resiliency for critical water and energy infrastructure. Pragada stated that threats around redundancy, resiliency, and cyber protection apply to facilities worldwide, and that a lack of redundancy in water infrastructure could pose risks to large societies. Pragada also addressed the impact of AI on energy demand, describing a "virtuous cycle" where AI drives innovation and the need for supporting infrastructure. He noted that the full supply chain must be considered holistically, as data centers increase water and cooling needs. When asked about his message to U.S. officials and members of Congress, Pragada said, "Consistency in funding and clarity in approach." He also commented on Middle East development plans, saying that while ambitious projects like Saudi Vision 2030 could be "elongated," the region has "great ambition to be an integrated part of the world."