A Phoenix computer engineer said during a recent conference that the future of technology is AI, and that there will be plenty of disruptions along the way.
Brian McCarson, a former Intel engineer manager, was the opening speaker of the second day of the Global Semiconductor Hub event in downtown Phoenix where he presented his theory of “inference,” or AI’s first step to becoming not only more functional but sentient.
The Inference Era, according to McCarson, is just starting. He predicts between now and 2030, AI will be able to infer answers instead of repeating back information.
McCarson now works for Chandler-based Microchip Technology Inc., which has its headquarters in a city that recently declined to allow a new data center after city code didn’t explicitly mention how to zone the area.
“There are lots of concerns raised about the impact of AI on the energy grid and how that might impact the environment,” McCarson said. “I believe we will see greater economic benefits with fewer environmental impacts as the world transitions to inference.”
Artificial intelligence has become increasingly controversial. Large-language models like ChatGPT, Grok and others that are capable of having online “conversations” with users have provided a way for people to find a source of information. They also have been accused of being prejudiced, inaccurate and “hallucinating” answers to questions.
There also are questions about the environmental impact of AI. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology says AI programs used 200 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 and are estimated to use between 53 and 76 terawatt-hours of electricity from data centers alone. This is equivalent of every person on Earth exchanging more than 4,000 messages with AI chatbots, or the amount of energy to power more than 70 million people for one year.
Ethics aside, McCarson stands firm in his belief AI will be an economic success, comparing the new technology to that of the internet and smartphones.
“Companies will come and go, but the technological innovations we are all experiencing today in AI are not going away. The companies that will be winning 10 years from now in AI are going to be the ones that are creating long-term value for individuals and companies with the least amount of negative impact,” he said.
McCarson also notes disruptions are part of innovation, with short-term disruptions proving to be beneficial in the long term.
McCarson compares the advances of current AI to those of the automobile in the early 20th century.
“The automobile has been a net benefit to society overall, even though there were some serious short-term disruptions during that major transition. AI will be equally disruptive but vastly more beneficial,” he wrote via email.
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Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix
Meet Madeline
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.