The Silicon Valley Leadership Group announced on April 15 the formation of its Physical AI Task Force, a cross-sector initiative under its Center of Expertise on Technology and Innovation.
The task force aims to bring together industry leaders to help California maintain its role as a center for physical innovation as artificial intelligence moves from cloud-based systems to embodied technologies such as robotics, autonomous mobility, and smart manufacturing.
Ahmad Thomas, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG), said, “This is a defining moment for California’s innovation leadership. Physical AI represents an enormous transformation for businesses in Silicon Valley and across the Golden State. By bringing industry and policymakers together early, SVLG’s Physical AI Task Force is building a framework for innovation that balances competitiveness, workforce readiness, and thoughtful public-private partnerships.”
Ziyang Fan, Senior Vice President of Technology & Innovation and Executive Director of the Institute for California AI Policy at SVLG, said: “We’re witnessing AI’s most consequential evolution yet: from systems that think and talk, to systems that move, build, and transform the physical world around us. That’s the frontier this Task Force is designed to navigate.”
Yaad Oren serves as chair of the task force. Oren said: “Physical AI is helping enterprises unlock transformative potential in productivity, safety, and operational resilience. By investing in robotics and embodied AI, organizations can enhance human work, open new opportunities, and deliver long‑term economic value. SVLG’s Physical AI Task Force is creating a collaborative environment where businesses can adopt these technologies thoughtfully and translate innovation into shared growth.”
The initiative supports market development through several focus areas as part of SVLG’s Future Forward Agenda—a multi-year effort intended to strengthen regional innovation policy while promoting economic growth across both the Bay Area region and California more broadly.
Founded by David Packard nearly five decades ago with members providing about one-third of private-sector jobs in Silicon Valley today according to SVLG’s description—the organization continues efforts focused on accelerating leadership through initiatives like this new task force.
