Tech
The hidden supply chain costs of the AI boom
Publication: The Verge
Author: Nilay Patel
Source published: 05/11/2026, 15:00:00 UTC
Briefing created: 05/11/2026, 15:21:00 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 05/11/2026, 15:01:26 UTC.
Briefings
The Verge's Willy Shih, author of 'Where Does My Stuff Come From?', discusses how global supply chains adapt to economic disruptions like tariffs and AI-driven infrastructure needs. Shih argues that market forces, not political decisions, drive the movement of goods, citing examples such as frozen fish processed in China despite Alaska catches. The conversation highlights the tension between economic efficiency and political protectionism, noting that supply chains often circumvent barriers rather than stop, as seen with cashew nuts and fish. The discussion occurred during a period of shifting global manufacturing strategies, with Shih emphasizing the economic principles behind these complex systems.
Key points
- Willy Shih, an economist and professor at Harvard Business School, is the author of the book 'Where Does My Stuff Come From? The Powerful Economics Behind Global Supply Chains'.
Context
The conversation features Willy Shih, an economist and professor at Harvard Business School, discussing how global supply chains adapt to economic disruptions like tariffs and AI-driven infrastructure needs.
Limitations
Evidence is limited to a single interview transcript; specific dates for the interview are not provided, and the conversation cuts off mid-sentence.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 05/11/2026, 15:21:00 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
View archived briefing on IPFS
bafybeicsodwunnlj4lsi2bgkceutsftpfkfqywpdhpk2fprhpn7jwepej4