The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world. But beneath every AI model sits an increasingly complex infrastructure stack powering it all.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Dylan Patel, founder of SemiAnalysis, about the technologies underpinning the AI revolution. From GPUs, memory and networking to data centres, energy and power infrastructure, the conversation explores how every layer of the AI stack is evolving to meet unprecedented demand.

We discuss the rise of AI agents, why CPUs are becoming increasingly important alongside GPUs, the changing role of memory and networking, and why power generation is emerging as one of the biggest constraints on AI growth. The episode also explores how companies across the semiconductor and infrastructure ecosystem are responding to one of the largest industrial buildouts in decades.

Rare earths are no longer just a niche mining story.

They sit at the centre of some of the most important trends shaping the global economy, from electric vehicles and robotics to AI infrastructure, drones and defence systems. Yet the real challenge is not simply finding these materials. It is building the supply chains needed to process them and turn them into the products modern industry depends on.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Ryan Corbett, Chief Financial Officer of MP Materials, about the race to rebuild rare earth supply chains. We explore China's dominance across mining, refining and magnet production, why NdPr is emerging as a critical bottleneck, and why demand is broadening well beyond electric vehicles. The conversation also examines the role of industrial policy, supply chain security and vertical integration in building a resilient materials ecosystem.

As breakthroughs continue across the industry, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how quantum technologies can be deployed to solve real-world problems.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore the software, algorithms and platforms helping drive the quantum revolution. The conversation examines how organisations are preparing for a quantum-enabled future, how hybrid quantum-classical workflows are emerging, and why software is becoming a critical bridge between quantum hardware and practical applications.

We discuss the growing momentum across the quantum ecosystem, the role of AI in accelerating quantum development, and how enterprises are building quantum-ready capabilities today. The episode also explores what investors should watch as the industry evolves and why software may play a central role in unlocking the next generation of quantum applications.

Quantum computing is often discussed as a future technology. But what if parts of that future are already here? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Nathan Mason from BQP about the growing convergence between quantum computing, artificial intelligence and high performance computing. From cybersecurity and aerospace to logistics and space infrastructure, the conversation explores how quantum-inspired algorithms are already solving real-world problems today.

Lithium sits at the heart of the energy transition, but the story is evolving.
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Ana Cabral, CEO of Sigma Lithium, to explore the shifting dynamics of the lithium market. From electric vehicles to data centres, they discuss how new sources of demand are reshaping the outlook for lithium.
They also dive into cost discipline, sustainable mining, and how Sigma Lithium has built one of the lowest-cost and most environmentally focused operations in the industry. From supply challenges to long-term demand trends, this conversation goes beyond prices to uncover what really drives the lithium market.