Why we’re at the beginning of the AI hardware boom | Caitlin Kalinowski (ex–OpenAI, Meta, Apple)

Physical AI and robotics represent the next major technological frontier as digital AI capabilities begin to saturate. Hardware development requires a fundamentally different approach than software, characterized by high-stakes, limited iteration cycles and the necessity for rigorous reliability testing. Building successful hardware demands early goal alignment, prioritizing the most complex components, and maintaining a ruthless focus on user-facing features. Geopolitical shifts and supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly regarding critical components like actuators and magnets, underscore the urgent need for domestic reindustrialization and independent production capabilities. Caitlin Kalinowski, a veteran hardware leader with experience at Apple, Meta, and OpenAI, emphasizes that while humanoid robots capture public imagination, the future of the industry lies in specialized, reliable hardware and the integration of AI into physical systems to solve real-world problems.