google launches apple while amazon expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• US stock futures, including Nasdaq and S&P 500, are falling due to widespread fears of AI disrupting business models and reducing pricing power across industries.
• Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr stated that the AI boom is not a reason to cut interest rates, despite potential productivity boosts.
• Cathie Wood's ARK Invest significantly increased its stake in Alphabet (Google) in late 2025, recognizing its strong AI investments and the performance of its Gemini 3 model, which has 750 million monthly active users.
• Apple is accelerating the development of three new AI-powered wearable devices: smart glasses (N50) targeting a 2027 release, a pendant, and AirPods with AI features, all integrating with Siri and iPhone.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) is funding Gaxos Labs' new AI-based sales platform, leading to a 49.52% stock surge for Gaxos.ai Inc. on February 17, 2026.
• JPMorgan identified Affirm, Carvana, Roku, Spotify Technology, and CrowdStrike as stocks potentially protected from AI market disruption.
• Goldman Sachs named software companies like SAP, Salesforce, Oracle, Workday, Snowflake, MongoDB, Shopify, and CrowdStrike as resilient to AI due to their "system of record" data and "architectural moats."
• JPMorgan analysts predict that the high cost of AI investment will drive mergers among smaller US banks, as larger banks are better equipped to fund these necessary technologies.
• Alibaba launched an upgraded AI model QWEN, while Walt Disney issued a warning to ByteDance regarding AI's use of its content.
• The current market downturn has seen selloffs in software, financial, office real estate, and trucking stocks, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq now in negative territory for the year.

AI fears cause US stock futures to fall

US stock futures dropped on Tuesday due to ongoing worries about AI changing business models. This concern led to a selloff in software, brokerage, and trucking companies last week, marking Wall Street's steepest weekly decline since mid-November. Jefferies economist Mohit Kumar believes AI adoption is positive but will shift industries. Investors are also watching for the personal consumption expenditure report and comments from Fed officials Michael Barr and Mary Daly this week.

AI fears push Nasdaq S&P 500 futures down

Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures fell on Tuesday as worries about AI changing businesses continued after the Presidents' Day break. Investors are also watching US-Iran nuclear talks and upcoming Fed minutes. Several companies are in the news, including ZIM Integrated after a $4.2 billion acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd. Ocular Therapeutix will share Phase 3 results for Axpaxli, and Eli Lilly reported positive results for Retevmo. Apple is expanding into video podcasting and low-cost MacBooks, while Alibaba launched an upgraded AI model QWEN. Walt Disney sent a warning to ByteDance about AI using its content.

Cathie Wood invests heavily in Alphabet AI stock

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest significantly increased its stake in Alphabet, buying 206,936 shares in late 2025. Alphabet has been a long-term investor in AI through DeepMind and its own models like Gemini 3. Gemini 3 has shown strong performance, outperforming rivals and reaching 750 million monthly active users. J.P. Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth rates Alphabet as a Buy, seeing its large AI investments as a future strength. He expects the company's full AI stack to drive multi-year value.

Fed Governor Barr says AI boom not a reason to cut rates

Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr stated that the current boom in artificial intelligence is not a reason to cut interest rates. The White House had suggested that AI could boost productivity, which might influence economic policy. However, Barr's comments indicate the Fed is not considering AI as a factor for lowering rates at this time.

AI worries cause S&P 500 futures to drop

S&P 500 futures fell sharply on Tuesday as traders became more pessimistic about the future impact of AI. Nasdaq contracts also slid, and Dow futures eased, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq now in negative territory for the year. Investors worry that AI could disrupt entire industries, reducing pricing power and commoditizing services. This has led to selloffs in software, wealth management, and trucking stocks. Markets are also awaiting Q4 US GDP data, inflation reports, and earnings from companies like Walmart and DoorDash.

JPMorgan names stocks safe from AI market disruption

The stock market is seeing sectors fall one by one due to fears of AI disruption, a trend Goldman Sachs called "whac-a-mole." Software, financial, office real estate, and trucking stocks have all recently dropped. JPMorgan has identified several "mispriced" stocks that they believe are protected from AI's impact. These include Affirm, which despite a recent 17% drop, shows strong business performance. Carvana also made the list, with analysts noting its integrated infrastructure as a defense against AI. Roku, Spotify Technology, and CrowdStrike are other stocks JPMorgan believes are insulated.

Gaxosai stock jumps after Amazon funds AI platform

Gaxos.ai Inc. stock surged by 49.52% on February 17, 2026, following news of Amazon Web Services' commitment. AWS will fund Gaxos Labs' new AI-based sales platform, providing a significant boost to the company. This partnership is expected to create new revenue streams and give Gaxos.ai a competitive edge in the sales technology market. While Gaxos.ai has faced profitability challenges despite substantial revenue, this collaboration offers a promising path for future growth and investor confidence.

Apple develops AI glasses pendant and camera AirPods

Apple Inc. is speeding up the creation of three new AI-powered wearable devices. These include smart glasses, a pendant, and AirPods with advanced AI features, all designed to work with Siri and the iPhone. The AirPods and pendant will have lower-resolution cameras to help the AI, while the smart glasses, code-named N50, will be high-end with a high-resolution camera for photos and videos. Apple aims for production of the glasses by December for a 2027 release. These new devices are part of Apple's effort to catch up in the AI space and keep users within its ecosystem.

JPMorgan predicts AI will cause small bank mergers

JPMorgan analysts, led by Vivek Juneja, believe that the need to invest in AI will push smaller US banks into mergers. Banks must spend on AI to stay competitive, and larger banks are better equipped to do so. While the full impact of AI on bank revenues is not yet clear, it is expected to drive consolidation among smaller institutions. Financial stocks have recently seen a selloff due to concerns about AI's effect on profits. Larger banks, however, may be able to offset AI impacts with strong trading revenues and their ability to invest more in new technology.

Goldman Sachs names software stocks safe from AI

Goldman Sachs has identified several software stocks that they believe are protected from AI disruption. The software sector has recently faced a selloff due to fears that AI will replace traditional products and reduce pricing power. However, analyst Gabriela Borges notes that existing "system of record" companies like SAP, Salesforce, Oracle, and Workday hold crucial data that AI models need. Goldman Sachs recommends companies with strong "architectural moats" beyond just the application layer. Their buy-rated picks include Snowflake, MongoDB, Shopify, and CrowdStrike, which are expected to withstand AI's impact.

Sources

• US stock futures slip on persistent AI disruption fears
• Nasdaq, S&P 500 Futures Lower As AI Disruption Fears Linger: Why AAPL, ZIM, OCUL, NCLH Are On Traders' Radar Today
• Alphabet or Palantir: Cathie Wood Loads Up on One High-Conviction AI Stock
• The AI Boom Isn’t a Reason to Cut Rates, Says Fed Governor Barr
• SPX: S&P 500 Futures Sharply Lower as Pessimism Grows Over AI-First Future
• AI Whac-a-Mole takes over the stock market. JPMorgan says these stocks are insulated
• Gaxos.ai Soars as Amazon Commits to Developing AI Sales Platform
• Apple Ramps Up Work on Glasses, Pendant, and Camera AirPods for AI Era
• JPMorgan Analysts See AI Disruption Spurring Small Bank Mergers
• Goldman says these software stocks have 'moats' that can thwart AI disruption