‘The robots are coming:’ Memphis in the middle of the AI boom
“We’ve gone through the age of virtual AI. We are just stepping towards the age of physical AI and this is a game changer,” said David Waddell, president & CEO of Waddell & Associates during the 2026 State of the Economy. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Memphis is emerging as a pivotal player in the artificial intelligence economy, investment strategist David Waddell told a Greater Memphis Chamber audience Tuesday, Feb. 17, arguing the city is “right in the middle” of a massive national build-out of AI infrastructure.
Waddell, CEO and chief investment strategist at Waddell & Associates, gave the chamber’s annual “State of the Economy” speech at the Memphis Botanic Garden.
He gave a sweeping picture of the national economy and the growth of artificial intelligence.
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David Waddell Greater Memphis Chamber xAI Artificial Intelligence Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Andy Ashby
Andy Ashby is a veteran reporter with more than 14 years of journalism experience, including stops at the DeSoto County Tribune, the Daily News, and the Memphis Business Journal. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, where he photographed the 1998 National Championship game.
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