Robert Pragada on data center infrastructure
From Bob Pragada calls for more resilient critical infrastructure at Semafor World Economy Summit · · Jacobs Official
“I think there is an ecosystem of a supply network that brings these to bear of those the electrical OEM space. I think the full consideration of if you put that much of a load on the entirety of the supply chain there are going to be some choke points in those areas and so looking at it holistically as a full multifaceted solution that takes a village to build.”
On , Robert Pragada, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board at Jacobs Solutions Inc, spoke about data center infrastructure during Bob Pragada calls for more resilient critical infrastructure at Semafor World Economy Summit on Jacobs Official.
About Robert Pragada
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."