Adobe Analytics Reports AI Traffic Surges While Amazon and Salesforce See Sales Rise

The 2025 holiday shopping season saw unprecedented online spending, largely fueled by artificial intelligence. US shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 9.1% increase from the previous year. AI-powered shopping tools, including chatbots and large language models, played a significant role, driving an 805% increase in AI-driven traffic to retail sites, as reported by Adobe Analytics. Tools like Amazon's Rufus and Walmart's Sparky helped consumers find deals and navigate purchases. E-commerce sales surged by 10.4%, significantly outpacing the modest 1.7% rise in in-store sales. Popular items included LEGO sets, Pokémon cards, and gaming consoles, though consumers bought fewer items overall due to rising prices and flat discount rates. Salesforce predicts a record-breaking Cyber Week, with global online sales reaching $334 billion and US sales hitting $78 billion, with AI influencing more than one in five online purchases, totaling $73 billion globally. Beyond retail, AI continues to reshape various sectors. A McKinsey report highlights AI's potential to improve US national health expenditure by 9% to 15%, offering a lifeline to a sector facing significant financial strain, including a $1 trillion cut from federal funding by July 2025. AI can automate administrative tasks, reduce medical costs, and accelerate drug development. Cybersecurity is also emerging as a potential trillion-dollar AI opportunity, as hackers increasingly use AI for sophisticated attacks. The rise of physical AI, such as Alphabet's Waymo autonomous vehicles and Tesla's Optimus robots, creates new vulnerabilities that demand advanced digital protection. In the investment landscape, Alibaba Group reported strong fiscal Q2 revenue growth, with demand for AI computing power accelerating its cloud business and exceeding current capacity. The company is heavily investing in AI infrastructure. However, some investors express caution regarding AI valuations. Billionaire Ken Griffin, for instance, trimmed his position in Palantir Technologies by 32%, despite Palantir's 3Q25 revenue growing 63% year-over-year to $1.18 billion. Similarly, "The Big Short" investor Michael Burry called Tesla "ridiculously overvalued," noting its 209 times forward earnings and annual shareholder dilution. Concerns are also rising that the AI boom is causing a surge in corporate debt, potentially reducing the traditional protective role of bonds in a stock market downturn. Meanwhile, Rezolve AI Plc's stock plunged over 10% after announcing its acquisition of Crownpeak for $90 million, plus the assumption of approximately $150 million in debt, raising investor concerns about the financial implications.

Key Takeaways

• US online spending on Black Friday 2025 reached a record $11.8 billion, marking a 9.1% increase from 2024, significantly driven by AI-powered shopping tools.
• Adobe Analytics reported an 805% increase in AI-driven traffic to retail sites, with tools like Amazon's Rufus playing a key role in consumer purchases.
• Salesforce forecasts a record Cyber Week, with global online sales hitting $334 billion and US sales reaching $78 billion, projecting AI to influence $73 billion in global purchases.
• Alibaba Group's cloud computing segment is experiencing accelerating demand for AI computing power, driving revenue growth despite significant investments in AI infrastructure.
• A McKinsey report suggests AI could improve US national health expenditure by 9% to 15%, offering a solution to the sector's financial strain and labor shortages.
• Cybersecurity is identified as a potential trillion-dollar AI opportunity, spurred by sophisticated AI-powered cyberattacks and the need to protect physical AI systems like Google's Waymo and Tesla's Optimus.
• Billionaire investor Ken Griffin reduced his stake in Palantir Technologies by 32%, despite the company reporting a 63% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.18 billion in 3Q25.
• Investor Michael Burry criticized Tesla as "ridiculously overvalued," highlighting its 209 times forward earnings and annual shareholder dilution.
• The AI boom is leading to a surge in corporate debt, raising concerns that bonds may not provide traditional protection against a potential AI stock market bubble.
• Rezolve AI Plc's stock dropped over 10% following its acquisition of Crownpeak for $90 million, which includes assuming approximately $150 million in debt.

US Black Friday 2025 Online Sales Hit Record $11.8 Billion

US shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday 2025, marking a 9.1% increase from 2024. AI-powered shopping tools, including chatbots and large language models, significantly drove this surge, helping consumers find deals and compare prices. Adobe Analytics reported an 805% increase in AI-driven traffic to retail sites, with tools like Walmart's Sparky and Amazon's Rufus playing a key role. Popular purchases included LEGO sets, Pokémon cards, and gaming consoles. Despite higher overall spending, consumers bought fewer items due to rising prices and flat discount rates.

Black Friday 2025 Sees Record Online Sales Driven by AI

US shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday 2025, a 9.1% increase from last year. This surge was powered by AI shopping tools and "buy now pay later" options, even with high prices and weak consumer confidence. Adobe Analytics reported over 800% growth in AI-driven traffic to retail sites, with tools like Walmart's Sparky and Amazon's Rufus helping shoppers. While online sales grew significantly, in-store sales saw only modest gains. Popular purchases included electronics, gaming consoles, and luxury items.

AI Boosts US Black Friday 2025 Online Sales to Record High

US online spending reached a record $11.8 billion on Black Friday 2025, increasing 9.1% from 2024. AI shopping tools played a major role, with AI-driven traffic to retail sites soaring 805%. Tools like Walmart's Sparky and Amazon's Rufus helped consumers find deals and avoid crowded stores. E-commerce sales grew 10.4%, significantly outpacing the 1.7% rise in in-store sales. Popular items included LEGO sets, Pokémon cards, and gaming consoles. Experts expect Cyber Monday to also set a record, with $14.2 billion in online sales.

AI Tools Drive Record Black Friday Spending and Boost ETFs

US shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online this Black Friday, a 9.1% increase from 2024. AI-driven shopping tools helped consumers find deals and avoid stores, leading to an 805% surge in AI-driven traffic to retail websites. E-commerce sales grew 10.4%, significantly more than in-store sales. Popular items included LEGO sets and gaming consoles. Experts expect Cyber Monday to also set a record. Despite higher spending, consumers bought fewer items due to rising prices and flat discounts. This trend highlights the growing importance of AI-based ETFs for investors.

Alibaba Sees Strong AI and E-commerce Growth Despite Investments

Alibaba Group reported strong fiscal Q2 revenue growth in its e-commerce and cloud computing segments. Demand for AI computing power is accelerating its cloud business, with demand exceeding current capacity. E-commerce revenue climbed 16% to $18.6 billion, driven by a 60% surge in quick-commerce revenue. Alibaba is investing heavily in quick commerce, which led to a 76% drop in segment EBITA but aims for 1 trillion yuan in gross merchandise value in three years. Overall revenue rose 5% to $34.8 billion, but adjusted EBITA and earnings per share fell due to these significant investments.

Alibaba Cloud AI Services Drive Revenue Growth

Alibaba Group, a major e-commerce and technology company, sees its cloud computing segment, Alibaba Cloud, as a key growth area. The company is investing heavily in AI infrastructure and solutions to meet the rising demand for AI services. Recent financial reports show a significant increase in revenue from Alibaba's AI-related offerings, powered by advanced machine learning and data analytics. Despite strong competition and market volatility, Alibaba's established ecosystem and focus on innovation position it well to benefit from the growing AI market. Investors are watching to see if its AI investments will lead to sustained growth and profitability.

AI Offers Hope for US Healthcare Amid Financial Strain

A new McKinsey report warns that US healthcare faces significant financial strain from rising costs and new legislation. The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" enacted in July 2025 will cut $1 trillion from federal healthcare funding over ten years. However, the report suggests AI could be a lifeline, potentially improving national health expenditure by 9% to 15%. AI can automate administrative tasks for providers, reduce medical costs for insurers, and accelerate drug development for pharmaceutical companies. Moving care to lower-cost centers and adopting AI are key strategies to address the sector's challenges and labor shortages.

Ken Griffin Adjusts AI Stock Holdings Trims Palantir

Billionaire investor Ken Griffin is adjusting his holdings in top AI stocks, trimming his position in Palantir Technologies. Griffin believes current market gains may not be fully organic, and the AI sector carries uncertainty. Palantir, a major AI data analytics provider, reported strong 3Q25 earnings with revenue up 63% year-over-year to $1.18 billion. Despite Palantir's stock gaining over 2,145% in three years, Griffin's fund sold 224,152 shares, reducing its stake by 32%. Some analysts also express caution about Palantir's concentrated growth and high valuation.

Cybersecurity May Be Next Trillion Dollar AI Opportunity

Cybersecurity could become the next trillion-dollar AI opportunity, potentially surpassing semiconductor companies. Hackers are increasingly using AI to launch sophisticated cyberattacks, making robust cybersecurity solutions essential. For example, a group reportedly used Claude to hack major corporations with minimal human involvement. The rise of physical AI, such as autonomous vehicles like Alphabet's Waymo and robots like Tesla's Optimus, also creates new vulnerabilities that require advanced digital protection. Cybersecurity companies like CrowdStrike, Fortinet, and Palo Alto Networks offer subscription models, providing predictable revenue. Continued growth in AI, particularly physical AI, is expected to boost the cybersecurity sector significantly.

Bonds May Not Protect Investors From AI Stock Bubble

The artificial intelligence boom is causing a surge in corporate debt, raising concerns that bonds may not protect investors from a potential AI stock market bubble. Traditionally, bonds offer safety when stocks fall, but this AI-driven rally is different. Companies are borrowing heavily to fund AI projects, increasing the supply of corporate bonds. Many leading AI companies already carry high debt. If the AI bubble bursts, these companies could face financial trouble and default on their bonds. This close link between AI stocks and corporate bonds means a stock downturn could also harm the bond market, reducing their usual diversification benefits.

AI Drives Record Cyber Monday Sales Forecast by Salesforce

Salesforce predicts a record-breaking Cyber Week, with global online sales reaching $334 billion and US sales hitting $78 billion. Artificial intelligence is a major driver, expected to influence more than one in five online purchases, totaling $73 billion globally. Deep discounts and "buy now pay later" apps also boost spending. In other news, defense-tech firms and AI startups are finding opportunities in President Trump's drug war, assisting with drone technology and analytic platforms. Stock markets recently saw gains, but concerns about AI spending and the Federal Reserve meeting continue.

Michael Burry Calls Tesla Overvalued After Slamming AI Stocks

"The Big Short" investor Michael Burry has criticized electric automaker Tesla, calling its market capitalization "ridiculously overvalued." Burry stated that Tesla dilutes shareholders by about 3.6% annually without buybacks, and Elon Musk's large pay package will continue this trend. Tesla's stock trades at 209 times its forward earnings, much higher than its five-year average. This criticism follows Burry's recent concerns about high valuations in the AI sector and other technology companies like Nvidia and Microsoft. Burry shared his views in his new newsletter, "Cassandra Unchained."

Rezolve AI Stock Drops After Announcing Crownpeak Acquisition

Rezolve AI Plc's stock plunged over 10% today after the company announced its acquisition of Crownpeak. The deal involves an initial purchase price of $90 million, consisting of $50 million in cash and $33.9 million in equity, plus Rezolve AI will assume about $150 million in debt. Management believes this acquisition is a significant step forward, expecting it to immediately boost EBITDA and expand its client base across various industries. However, investors appear concerned about the financial implications of the cash outlay and debt assumption, leading to the stock's decline.

Sources

• US Black Friday 2025: sales hit $11.8 billion driven by AI
• Black Friday 2025: U.S. Shoppers Spend Record $11.8 Billion Online as AI and BNPL Reshape Holiday Spending
• AI shopping assistants help push US Black Friday 2025 online sales
• ETFs in Focus as AI Tools Boost Record Black Friday Spending
• Alibaba: Is It Time to Buy the Stock as AI Revenue Climbs?
• Alibaba: Is It Time to Buy the Stock as AI Revenue Climbs?
• Can AI Rescue US Healthcare from a Gathering Storm?
• PLTR or SMCI: Billionaire Ken Griffin Trims One Top AI Stock as He Doubles Down on Another
• Could the Next Trillion-Dollar AI Opportunity Be in Cybersecurity and Not Semiconductors?
• Why Bonds Won’t Protect You From an AI Bubble
• Morning Business Report: Record-breaking Cyber Monday expected as AI drives global sales surge 41NBC News
• ’Big Short’ investor Burry targets Tesla after slamming AI valuations By Reuters
• Why Rezolve AI Stock Is Plunging Today