Ant Group, backed by Jack Ma, is making a significant move into AI healthcare with its new app, AQ. Launched in Shanghai in June 2025, AQ utilizes AI Doctor Agents, trained by over 1,000 physicians, to answer patient questions and connect them with medical professionals. The company aims to extend these services to most of China's 1.4 billion people within three years. Notably, AQ was the most-downloaded medical app on Apple iOS last year, highlighting its early success in China's online healthcare market, which was valued at approximately $69 billion in 2025.
Large investments in artificial intelligence are now visibly boosting economic data, particularly in the ISM manufacturing sector and capital spending across various industries. Companies in industrial sectors, such as Caterpillar, and utility providers are experiencing record-high performance due to the substantial demand for AI infrastructure. This market shift suggests that investors might consider diversifying their portfolios beyond just tech companies to include industrials, transports, and international markets.
However, the growth of AI also brings significant energy concerns. Experts like Tim Weiss from Optera point out that AI's increasing energy needs are a major issue. The International Energy Agency forecasts that global electricity consumption from data centers, largely driven by AI, could double by 2030. Goldman Sachs also predicts a substantial rise in data center power demand by the same year. To address this and meet climate goals, utilities and investors are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which accounted for over 90% of new power capacity in 2024.
In the realm of AI-powered commerce, Salesforce plans to acquire Cimulate, a company specializing in AI-driven product discovery. This acquisition aims to significantly enhance Salesforce's Agentforce Commerce platform by transforming online shopping from simple keyword searches into more natural, conversation-based experiences that better understand shopper intent. Cimulate's technology uses real and simulated shopper data to decipher customer needs, promising more personalized retail experiences. This deal is expected to close in the first quarter of Salesforce's fiscal year 2027. Meanwhile, Sam Blond, a former venture capitalist, has launched a new AI sales startup directly challenging Salesforce in the sales technology market.
Despite strong future growth prospects, many top AI stocks are currently experiencing declines, largely due to investor misunderstanding of AI spending trends. Major tech companies including Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle are projected to spend $700 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026. Experts believe this massive investment is merely the beginning, not the peak, as AI usage shifts from one-time training to continuous inference, which creates ongoing demand that scales with every user. Furthermore, AI hardware improvements are so rapid that upgrade cycles have shortened to just 12 months. Google's Cloud Backlog, which grew 55% last year to $240 billion, underscores the high demand for AI chips and related services.
The AI ICON conference, concluding tomorrow, February 11, provides a platform for individuals and businesses to learn about integrating artificial intelligence into daily life and work. The broader impact of AI on industries is also a topic of discussion, with some suggesting strategies to profit from this disruption, such as building AI applications for specific sectors and using financial instruments like put options on traditional companies before announcing new AI products. This reflects the market's dual sentiment of hope for AI's potential and concern over its disruptive effects on existing businesses.
Key Takeaways
- Ant Group launched its AI healthcare app, AQ, in Shanghai in June 2025, aiming to serve most of China's 1.4 billion people.
- AQ was the most-downloaded medical app on Apple iOS in 2025, operating in a $69 billion Chinese online healthcare market.
- AI investments are boosting the ISM manufacturing sector and capital spending, leading to record performance for industrial companies like Caterpillar and utility providers.
- Global electricity use from data centers, largely due to AI, could double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency and Goldman Sachs.
- Renewable energy sources, making up over 90% of new power capacity in 2024, are crucial for meeting AI's growing energy demands and climate goals.
- Salesforce plans to acquire Cimulate to enhance its Agentforce Commerce platform with AI-powered conversational shopping experiences.
- Sam Blond has launched a new AI sales startup directly competing with Salesforce in the sales technology market.
- Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle plan to spend $700 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026.
- AI spending is shifting from one-time training to continuous inference, creating ongoing demand that grows with every user.
- Google's Cloud Backlog grew 55% last year to $240 billion, indicating high demand for AI chips and services, with hardware upgrade cycles shrinking to 12 months.
Ant Group bets on AI healthcare with AQ app
Ant Group, backed by Jack Ma, is focusing on AI healthcare for its next big growth. The company launched its AI healthcare app AQ in Shanghai in June 2025. This app uses AI Doctor Agents, which are digital avatars trained by over 1,000 physicians, to answer patient questions and connect them with doctors. Ant Group plans to offer these services to most of China's 1.4 billion people within three years. The Chinese online healthcare market was worth about $69 billion in 2025, and AQ was the most-downloaded medical app on Apple iOS last year.
AI ICON conference teaches AI use
The AI ICON conference helps people and businesses learn how to use artificial intelligence in their daily lives and work. The conference's last day is tomorrow, February 11. It will run from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
AI growth and climate goals can work together
AI investment and climate strategy can exist together, but companies must manage them carefully. Experts like Tim Weiss from Optera suggest that AI's growing energy needs are a major concern. The International Energy Agency predicts that global electricity use from data centers, largely due to AI, could double by 2030. Goldman Sachs also forecasts a significant increase in data center power demand by 2030. To meet this demand and climate goals, utilities and investors are increasingly choosing renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which made up over 90% of new power capacity in 2024.
AI investments boost economy and key sectors
Large investments in artificial intelligence are now clearly impacting economic data. These investments are helping the ISM manufacturing sector grow and are increasing capital spending across many industries. Companies in industrial sectors, such as Caterpillar, and utility companies are seeing record high performance. This growth comes from the high demand for infrastructure needed to support AI. The market is shifting, suggesting investors should diversify their portfolios beyond just tech companies to include industrials, transports, and international markets.
Salesforce buys Cimulate to boost AI shopping
Salesforce plans to buy Cimulate, a company specializing in AI-powered product discovery. This acquisition aims to greatly improve Salesforce's Agentforce Commerce platform. Salesforce wants to change online shopping from simple keyword searches to more natural, conversation-based experiences that understand what shoppers truly want. Cimulate's technology uses real and simulated shopper data to figure out customer intent. This deal will help retailers offer better personalized shopping and is expected to close in the first quarter of Salesforce's fiscal year 2027.
AI stocks fall despite strong future growth
Many top AI stocks are currently falling because investors misunderstand where AI spending is headed. Major tech companies like Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle plan to spend $700 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026. Experts believe this huge investment is just the beginning, not the highest point, because AI use is shifting from one-time training to continuous inference. Inference creates ongoing demand that grows with every user. Also, AI hardware improves so fast that upgrade cycles have shrunk to just 12 months. Google's $240 billion Cloud Backlog, which grew 55% last year, shows that demand for AI is very high and companies need more chips to meet it.
Sam Blond starts AI sales company to challenge Salesforce
Sam Blond, a former venture capitalist from Founders Fund, has launched a new AI sales startup. This new company aims to compete directly with Salesforce in the sales technology market. The startup will use artificial intelligence to offer innovative solutions for sales teams.
How to profit from AI industry disruption
Bloomberg columnist Matt Levine discusses how artificial intelligence could disrupt many industries. He suggests a hypothetical business plan to profit from this disruption. The idea involves building an AI application for a specific business sector and then buying "put options" on companies in that sector before announcing the AI product. This strategy aims to make money from the market's fear that AI will cause traditional company revenues to disappear. Levine notes that the market is both hopeful about AI and worried about its impact on existing businesses.
Sources
- Jack Ma-Backed Ant Bets on AI Health in $69 Billion Sector Race
- AI Conference Helps Community Learn to Use Artificial Intelligence
- Higher Power: Can AI Investment & Climate Strategy Co-Exist?
- AI investments are showing up in economic data, benefiting utilities and industrials
- Will Salesforce’s Cimulate Acquisition Redefine AI-Driven Product Discovery?
- The Best AI Stocks Are Falling for the Wrong Reason
- Former Founders Fund VC Sam Blond launches AI sales startup to upend Salesforce
- The AI Whateverpocalypse Trade
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