Inside the Infrastructure Boom with Kemal Hawa

In this thought-provoking episode of the Nomad Futurist podcast, co-hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence sit down with Kemal Hawa, partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, for an insightful exploration of digital infrastructure’s evolution and the legal frameworks shaping its future.

With decades of experience spanning data centers, fiber, submarine cables, towers, and beyond, Kemal guides listeners through the transformation of the communications ecosystem, from the early days of telecom to the rise of data centers as a critical, standalone industry. Along the way, he highlights how legal practice has evolved from broad generalism to deep specialization:

“You need to have a fundamental understanding of the technology, the competitive landscape, and the client's business — including the risks and challenges they face.”

The conversation dives into pressing industry challenges, from navigating GDPR and data sovereignty to the increasing demand for localized infrastructure driven by privacy and power constraints. Kemal also weighs in on the delicate balance between IT outsourcing and maintaining control, underscoring the friction between fast-moving innovation and slow-moving regulation:

“Technology moves much, much faster than any legislative or regulatory process… Stick with broad principles and objectives rather than trying to regulate specific practices.”

The discussion expands to AI’s explosive impact on infrastructure and energy demand, with Kemal addressing the legal and operational hurdles that lie ahead. Despite the complexity, his outlook is optimistic:

"In the next 50 years, there is almost zero chance that there'll be any material decline. There could be periods of stagnation... but the need for our devices, our content, is not going anywhere. In fact, it’s just going to continue to proliferate.”

Kemal closes with a powerful call to action for the next generation, encouraging young professionals to explore careers in digital infrastructure. A great place to start? The Nomad Futurist Academy — a free online learning platform designed to educate and inspire the next wave of industry leaders.

Tap into more of Kemal Hawa’s thought leadership on LinkedIn.