Designing the Physical World with AI

June 12, 2026

1:10

Here's something that might surprise you — AI is now shaping the physical world, not just software. According to Erin Price-Wright and guests Alex Modon and Davide Asnaghi from a16z, AI-driven design and automation are drastically reducing construction and manufacturing times. Imagine using code and simulations to model real-world systems before building — this isn’t sci-fi anymore. Alex points out that incentives and constraints in manufacturing are starting to fuel adoption, making it easier to scale infrastructure and unlock industrial capacity in the U.S. Meanwhile, Davide highlights how AI can streamline electronics design, cutting out delays and reducing costs. But here's the thing — success isn’t just about tech. It’s about aligning incentives, overcoming supply chain hurdles, and rethinking how we build at every level. From automating factories to designing smarter cities, AI’s move into the physical realm could reshape industries entirely. If this pattern holds, the next wave of innovation will come from those who learn to design for adaptability — because the future belongs to those who can turn code into concrete.

Erin Price-Wright speaks with Alex Modon, cofounder and CEO at Unlimited Industries, and Davide Asnaghi, CEO at Diode Computers, about how AI is moving from software into the physical world. They discuss automating construction and electronics design, using code and simulation to model real-world systems, and how incentives and manufacturing constraints shape adoption. They also examine what it takes to scale infrastructure, reduce build times, and unlock more abundant industrial capacity in the United States.

Resources:

Follow Alex on X: https://x.com/alexmodon

Follow Davide on X: https://x.com/davideasnaghi

Follow Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright

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Audio Transcript