The trillion-dollar AI question – can the investment boom keep paying off?
Date: Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM British Summer Time
The race to build AI is consuming extraordinary amounts of capital. Chips, data centres, computing power and infrastructure are expanding at breakneck speed as companies compete for a share of what could be a profound technological shift.
But transforming the economy and rewarding investors aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Where are the returns from all that spending actually being made? How much future growth are investors already paying for? Who stands to benefit as the AI opportunity broadens – and what could bring the boom back down to earth?
For a special live recording of Macro moments, Franklin Templeton Global Investment Strategist Michael Browne is joined by Matthew Moberg, Portfolio Manager at Franklin Equity, and Andy O'Brien, Portfolio Manager at Putnam Investments, to put the AI investment boom under the microscope – from the scale of the opportunity and the companies capturing the value to the risks investors may be underestimating and where the next winners could emerge.
Be part of the live audience, hear the debate unfold and put your own questions to our panel.
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Speakers
Michael Browne (Host)
Global Investment Strategist, Franklin Templeton Institute
As an Investment Strategist for the Franklin Templeton Institute, Michael leverages the knowledge of the firm's autonomous investment teams to communicate investment views and opinions to internal and external clients and prospects. He also shares key insights on the economy and financial markets with clients and prospects.
Prior to his current role, Michael was Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for Martin Currie, overseeing all the investment teams and providing insight and leadership on strategic initiatives. He has over 30 years of experience at the highest level in Investment Management and shares his expertise through clear and insightful conversations.
A father of five, Michael enjoys time with his family, supporting their various sporting talents and aspirations.
Matthew J. Moberg, CPA
Portfolio Manager, Franklin Equity
Matthew J. Moberg is a senior vice president and portfolio manager with the Franklin Equity. Mr. Moberg manages strategies focused on investing in innovation, including Franklin DynaTech Fund, Franklin Innovation Fund, and a series of thematic strategies. He also manages the Franklin Focused Growth strategy, which takes a concentrated approach to investing in growth and innovation driven equities.
Mr. Moberg first joined Franklin Templeton in 1998 as an intern with Franklin Advisers. He joined Franklin Templeton full-time as an equity analyst in 1999 and specialized in research analysis of Internet, media, software and gaming.
Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, he worked at Coopers & Lybrand as an auditor and consultant. During his tenure at C&L, he was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) specializing in the banking and finance industries.
Mr. Moberg earned his B.A. in history from Washington & Lee University and an M.B.A. with distinction from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Mr. Moberg also studied accounting at the University of Southern California.
Andy O'Brien
Portfolio Manager, Putnam Investments
Andy is a Portfolio Manager of Putnam's Global Technology strategy and an Analyst focusing on the U.S. technology sector. He is also a named manager of Putnam U.S. Research Fund. As an analyst, Andy conducts deep sector research, assesses company earnings and stock valuations, and identifies high-conviction investment opportunities. He is responsible for fundamental analysis of companies in the semiconductor, hardware, and software industries. Andy has been in the investment industry since he joined Putnam in 2011 and is based in the Boston office.
Previously at Putnam, Andy served as an Investment Associate on the U.S. Consumer team.
Andy earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Babson College.