Borrowed Structure

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

One week in April 2026 produced three data points that, read together, tell you the shape the AI buildout is in.

On April 17, Ars Technica reported that satellite imagery from SynMax, cross-referenced against IIR Energy permit records, showed roughly 40% of US 2026 data center projects missing their completion dates by more than three months. Bloomberg and other trackers put the delay-or-cancellation rate closer to half.

Two days later, Meta raised Quest VR headset prices by 12% to 20%, citing the global memory-chip shortage its own AI capex is helping drive. The same company causing the component squeeze was absorbing it in its own consumer-hardware ledger.

Policy on Notes from the Rabbit Hole

Borrowed Structure