Five Layers of the AI Cake

Artificial intelligence is often discussed through the lens of models, chatbots, and applications, but that framing misses the scale of what is really underway. AI is becoming critical infrastructure, supported by a massive build-out across energy, chips, computing infrastructure, models, and applications.

As AI demand accelerates, policymakers, investors, and enterprise leaders need a clearer framework for understanding where value is created, where bottlenecks are emerging, and how countries and companies should plan for the next phase of the AI economy. The decisions being made now will shape energy strategy, semiconductor access, workforce development, capital allocation, and national competitiveness.

In our latest Market Brief, Five Layers of the AI Cake: A Framework for Policymakers, Investors, and Enterprise Leaders Navigating the AI Build-Out, completed in partnership with NVIDIA, Futurum Research examines AI as a five-layer infrastructure stack, first described by NVIDIA Founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, at at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, and explores the economic, workforce, and strategic implications of the global AI build-out.

In this brief, you will learn:

• Why AI should be understood as infrastructure, not just software
• How the five-layer framework connects energy, chips, computing infrastructure, models, and applications
• Where the most important bottlenecks are emerging across the AI stack
• Why AI infrastructure is reshaping workforce demand across trades, engineering, software, and advanced research
• What countries and enterprises should consider as they decide where to participate, where to invest, and where they may become dependent

If you are interested in learning more, be sure to download your copy of Five Layers of the AI Cake today.