Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta are investing an estimated $3 trillion into artificial intelligence, primarily for data centers and server farms. This substantial spending raises concerns among experts about a potential economic bubble, with some analysts predicting these companies could spend $10 trillion on AI infrastructure by 2028. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has even acknowledged "pockets of froth" in the market, and the S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio currently surpasses that of the dot-com bubble era. This mirrors historical events like the 1840s British railway mania and the 1870s US railway boom, which both led to speculative bubbles and subsequent economic depressions. In the competitive AI product space, Microsoft faces challenges with low user adoption for offerings like Copilot, reportedly reducing internal sales targets. Google's AI products, including Gemini, are gaining traction and are often seen as more effective by users. Critics suggest Microsoft's "ship it now fix it later" approach leads to unfinished features, contrasting with Google's more deliberate development. This trend could position Microsoft more as a reseller of NVIDIA server technology rather than a primary AI innovator. Despite these concerns, JPMorgan's Sitara Sundar sees strong AI opportunities, noting continued adoption. Robotics company EngineAI recently showcased its T800 humanoid robot, with CEO Zhao Tongyang demonstrating its physical capabilities by being kicked by the 5.6-foot, 165-pound machine. This stunt aims to counter rumors of computer-generated videos. The T800, which uses an Intel N97 controller and NVIDIA AGX Orin module for AI computing, can walk up to three meters per second and is designed for various tasks. Meanwhile, Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, launched her AI-powered shopping app, Phia, which has raised $30 million and is valued at $180 million, attracting investors like Hailey Bieber and Sheryl Sandberg. Globally, AI infrastructure investment is projected to near $400 billion in 2025, significantly boosting the US economy and accounting for over half of all GDP growth last year. This helped the US economy overcome uncertainty, with a projected GDP growth of 1.9% in 2025. However, the rapid development of AI also prompts calls for stricter regulation. Over 100 UK parliamentarians are urging their government to create strong rules for powerful AI systems, fearing threats to national and global security. They advocate for an international agreement to halt superintelligence development until it is deemed safe, with former Defence Secretary Des Browne comparing AI risks to nuclear war. Looking ahead, Humanx CEO Stefan Weitz predicts 2026 will be a year for "cleaning up" computer code generated with AI assistance, and money managers are exploring AI to enhance talent recruitment and retention, though emphasizing the continued importance of human interaction.
Key Takeaways
- Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta are investing an estimated $3 trillion in AI, with projections reaching $10 trillion by 2028, raising economic bubble concerns.
- The current AI investment boom is compared to the 1840s British and 1870s US railway manias, which led to speculative bubbles and economic depressions.
- Microsoft's AI products, like Copilot, face low user adoption, while Google's Gemini sees faster growth and is considered more effective.
- EngineAI's T800 humanoid robot, powered by Intel N97 and NVIDIA AGX Orin, demonstrated its physical abilities, aiming to prove its authenticity.
- Over 100 UK parliamentarians are demanding stronger AI regulation, advocating for an international agreement to pause superintelligence development until it is safe.
- Phoebe Gates launched Phia, an AI shopping app, raising $30 million and achieving a $180 million valuation, with 750,000 downloads in eight months.
- AI infrastructure investment is projected to near $400 billion in 2025, contributing over half of the US GDP growth in 2025, with a projected 1.9% growth.
- JPMorgan's Sitara Sundar maintains a positive outlook on AI investment opportunities despite some market "froth."
- Humanx CEO Stefan Weitz predicts 2026 will be a year for "cleaning up" computer code generated with AI assistance.
- Money managers are exploring AI for talent recruitment and retention, while emphasizing the continued importance of human interaction.
Big Tech AI Spending Raises Bubble Fears
Prominent Silicon Valley companies like Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta are investing an estimated $3 trillion into artificial intelligence. This massive spending, especially on data centers and server farms, raises concerns about a potential economic bubble. Some financial practices, like "circular funding" where Nvidia invests in OpenAI to buy its own chips, remind experts of the 2008 housing crash. Analysts predict these companies could spend $10 trillion on AI infrastructure by 2028. Google CEO Sundar Pichai even noted "pockets of froth" in the market, and the S&P 500 price to earnings ratio is higher than during the dot-com bubble.
AI Boom Mirrors 1800s Railway Mania
The current AI investment boom shows striking similarities to the "railway mania" of the 1840s in Britain and the 1870s in the US. Major tech companies are driving the US stock market, with global AI infrastructure investment nearing $400 billion in 2025. These firms are taking on new debt to fund AI development, and AI investments account for a large share of S&P 500 returns. The 19th-century railway boom led to massive speculation, eventually bursting and causing economic depressions, like the Panic of 1873. While AI investment has not yet reached the same percentage of GDP as the railway boom, it is growing rapidly. Experts warn that such bubbles can lead to financial crises and social upheaval.
EngineAI CEO Kicked by T800 Robot to Prove It Is Real
Chinese robotics company EngineAI released a new video showing its CEO, Zhao Tongyang, being kicked by the T800 humanoid robot. This stunt aims to prove the robot's physical abilities and stop rumors that earlier demonstration videos were computer-generated. The T800 is 5.6 feet tall, weighs 165 pounds, and has advanced features like an active cooling system and high-torque motors. EngineAI plans to promote the T800 with a "combat-ready" image and even a robot fighting tournament. The robot uses an Intel N97 controller and NVIDIA AGX Orin module for AI computing. It can walk up to three meters per second and is designed for various tasks from logistics to general service.
UK Lawmakers Demand Stronger AI Regulation
Over 100 UK parliamentarians are urging the government to create strict rules for the most powerful AI systems. They worry that superintelligent AI could threaten national and global security, and that ministers are acting too slowly. The campaign, led by Control AI, wants the UK to push for an international agreement to stop developing superintelligence until it is safe. Former Defence Secretary Des Browne compared the risks of AI to nuclear war. The UK hosted an AI safety summit in 2023 and created the AI Security Institute. However, campaigners believe more binding regulations and an independent AI watchdog are needed.
Phoebe Gates Launches $180 Million AI Shopping App Phia
Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, launched her AI-powered shopping startup called Phia. The company has raised $30 million in funding and is now valued at $180 million. Phia is an AI shopping assistant that helps users find the best prices, second-hand items, and eco-friendly options online. Bill Gates did not invest in Phia but instead worked a shift as a customer service trainee to support its launch. The app, co-founded with Sophia Kianni, has been downloaded 750,000 times in eight months. High-profile investors like Hailey Bieber and Sheryl Sandberg are backing the company.
Money Managers Use AI to Find Talent
Money managers are exploring how to use artificial intelligence to attract and keep skilled employees. They believe AI can help with recruiting and retaining talent in the financial industry. However, the article emphasizes that a human touch remains very important in these processes.
Microsoft AI Products Struggle as Google Gains
Microsoft is facing challenges with its AI products, like Copilot, as user adoption remains low. A report indicates that Microsoft has even reduced its internal sales targets for AI. Meanwhile, Google's AI products, such as Gemini, are seeing faster growth and are considered more effective by users. Critics say Microsoft's "ship it now fix it later" approach leads to unfinished features, unlike Google's more thoughtful development. For example, Google Pixel phone photo editing and Gemini in Google Apps are seen as superior to Microsoft's offerings. This trend suggests Microsoft risks becoming more of a reseller for NVIDIA server technology than an AI innovator.
JPMorgan Expert Sees Strong AI Opportunities
Sitara Sundar, a top investment strategist at JPMorgan Private Bank, believes there are still many good opportunities in artificial intelligence. She noted this despite some areas of the market showing "froth," meaning they might be overpriced. Sundar stated that AI adoption continues to grow, which supports her positive outlook. She shared her views on Bloomberg's "Open Interest" program.
AI Investment Boosts US Economy in 2025
A large increase in artificial intelligence infrastructure investment helped the US economy overcome significant uncertainty in 2025. According to a Cushman & Wakefield report, AI-driven investments were responsible for over half of all GDP growth last year. Despite challenges like tariffs and financial stress, the US economy showed unexpected strength, with projected GDP growth of 1.9% in 2025. Experts like Kevin Thorpe from Cushman & Wakefield see renewed confidence in the commercial real estate sector. The outlook for 2026 includes continued economic growth, lower inflation, and interest rate reductions.
Humanx CEO Predicts Code Cleanup in 2026
Stefan Weitz, the CEO and co-founder of Humanx, predicts that 2026 will be a year for "cleaning up" computer code. This cleanup will focus on code that artificial intelligence systems helped humans write. Weitz shared his thoughts on the connection between AI and jobs during an interview on "The Claman Countdown."
Sources
- AI Bubble Warning: Big Tech’s $3 Trillion Gamble Could Mirror 2008 Crash
- AI and the railway mania
- EngineAI CEO takes a kick from T800 humanoid to silence CGI rumors
- Scores of UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems
- Bill Gates' daughter built a $180m AI app. He didn't invest but joined as trainee
- Money managers explore AI to attract, retain talent, but human touch is still key
- Microsoft has a problem: nobody wants to buy or use its shoddy AI products — as Google's AI growth begins to outpace Copilot products
- Still Meaningful Opportunity Set in AI: Sundar
- Is the AI Investment Boom Saving the U.S. Economy from Uncertainty?
- 2026 will be about 'cleaning up' code AI helped humans write, Humanx CEO says
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