google launches nvidia while anthropic expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• AI stocks are facing market caution, with strategist Ed Yardeni noting they are "skating on ice," leading to a rotation of investment away from software into other sectors.
• Major US cloud providers invested nearly $400 billion last year in data centers, with global investment projected to increase by an additional $200 billion in the next two years.
• The expansion of AI data centers necessitates "secure-by-design" cybersecurity measures to address risks like supply chain vulnerabilities and power grid connections.
• Cybersecurity stocks are thriving as AI creates new attack vectors, driving increased demand for protection from companies such as CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, and Zscaler.
• Wearable Devices Ltd. launched ai6 Labs on February 17, 2026, an AI ecosystem using the Large MUAP Model to translate human intent into machine actions, aiming to support companies like Google and NVIDIA.
• Figma Inc. and Anthropic partnered to enable the direct integration of AI-generated code, including output from Claude Code, into Figma's design canvas for collaborative refinement.
• Health insurers are increasingly adopting AI to cut costs and boost efficiency, with UnitedHealth Group planning to save $1 billion this year through AI implementation.
• A Gartner survey indicates nearly 60 percent of CFOs plan double-digit increases in AI investments for 2026, prioritizing technology-led productivity over headcount growth.
• CFOs are shifting spending priorities towards Sales and IT, with IT growth driven by rising SaaS and AI costs, while overall headcount growth is expected to slow significantly.

Wearable Devices Launches AI Lab for Human-Machine Control

Wearable Devices Ltd. introduced ai6 Labs on February 17, 2026. This new neural AI ecosystem aims to bridge the gap between human intent and machine action in autonomous AI. It uses technologies like the Large MUAP Model LMM to interpret muscle signals, enabling precise control for robotics and extended reality. The company positions ai6 Labs as a key infrastructure provider for the future of AI, helping other tech giants like Alphabet and NVIDIA. This initiative addresses the need for better human-machine interaction beyond traditional interfaces.

Wearable Devices Unveils AI Lab to Link Human Intent to Machines

Wearable Devices Ltd. launched ai6 Labs in Austin, Texas, on February 17, 2026. This new neural AI ecosystem aims to create a "digital nervous system" that translates human biological signals into machine-readable data. The core technology is the Large MUAP Model LMM, which interprets muscle activity for precise control. ai6 Labs uses a closed-loop business model to speed up innovation and commercialization. This initiative helps connect human intent directly to AI agents, XR platforms, and robotics systems.

Secure Design is Crucial for AI Data Centers

Data centers are vital infrastructure, and their cybersecurity is critical in the AI era. Major US cloud providers invested nearly $400 billion last year, with global investment set to increase by $200 billion in the next two years. The biggest risks include data center connections to power grids, supply chain weaknesses, and not building security from the start. "Secure-by-design" systems are necessary to protect these facilities and the broader systems they support. This means careful procurement of hardware, especially from regions like China, and strong governance for supply chain risks.

Ed Yardeni Says AI Stocks Are Risky as Other Sectors Rise

On February 16, 2026, strategist Ed Yardeni noted that AI stocks are "skating on ice" due to fast changes in AI technology. Investors are selling software stocks, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF down almost 25 percent this year. However, money is not leaving the market but rotating into other sectors. Energy, Materials, Consumer Staples, Industrials, Real Estate, and Health Care are now attracting more investment. The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has outperformed, showing a shift away from the Magnificent Seven tech giants.

Health Insurers Use AI to Cut Costs and Boost Efficiency

On February 17, 2026, major health insurers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to address financial challenges. Facing lower profits and rising medical costs, these companies are adopting AI to cut expenses and improve operations. UnitedHealth Group, for example, plans to save $1 billion this year by using AI. Executives across the industry frequently discussed AI's role in their early 2026 calls with Wall Street analysts.

Figma and Anthropic Partner to Convert AI Code into Designs

Figma Inc. and Anthropic announced a partnership on Tuesday to bridge AI coding tools with design. This new feature allows users to bring AI-generated code, like from Claude Code, directly into Figma's canvas. Teams can then refine these designs and make decisions together. Figma believes this makes design even more important, despite the rise of agentic coding tools. The announcement comes as software-as-a-service stocks, including Figma, face a significant market sell-off.

CFOs Boost AI and Tech Spending While Limiting New Hires

A Gartner survey of over 300 CFOs in the US and UK, published February 17, 2026, shows a major shift towards technology-led productivity. Nearly 60 percent of CFOs plan double-digit increases in AI investments for 2026. Spending priorities are now on Sales and IT, with IT growth driven by rising SaaS and AI costs. Meanwhile, headcount growth is expected to drop significantly from 6 percent in 2025 to just 2 percent in 2026. This reflects a move from growing staff to optimizing operations with automation and AI.

Cybersecurity Stocks Thrive as AI Boosts Demand for Protection

On February 17, 2026, cybersecurity stocks are performing well, unlike the broader software market sell-off, largely due to artificial intelligence. AI creates new attack points and makes cyber threats more advanced, forcing companies to increase security spending. CrowdStrike is seen as a leader, offering AI Detection and Response to protect against AI-powered attacks and secure AI assets. Palo Alto Networks is also benefiting as AI drives customers to consolidate security vendors and automate responses. Zscaler's Zero Trust architecture helps secure AI traffic and cloud environments.

High Capital Costs Drive Down AI and Tech Stocks

Mark Giambrone, Head of US Equities for Barrow Hanley Global Investors, states that AI and tech stocks are trading lower. This decline is happening because companies are spending a lot of money on capital expenditures. These companies are making large investments now, betting on significant future profits from AI and technology.

Market Strategist Highlights a Top AI Investment Opportunity

Shay Boloor, chief market strategist for Futurum Equities Research, believes one company is exceptionally well-positioned for the current AI landscape. He discussed this on "Making Money," explaining how AI is changing roles within the tech sector. Boloor also highlighted various investing opportunities related to these shifts.

Sources

• Closing the Intent-to-Execution Gap May Define Next Wave of AI Investment
• Closing the Intent-to-Execution Gap May Define Next Wave of AI Investment
• Why ‘secure-by-design’ systems are non-negotiable in the AI era
• 6 Sectors Rally While AI Stocks Are 'Skating On Ice:' Ed Yardeni - iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV), Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (ARCA:RSP)
• In a financial pinch, major health insurers are turning to AI for help
• Figma partners with Anthropic to turn AI-generated code into editable designs
• 2026 Budget Analysis: CFOs Pivot to AI and Tech Over Headcount
• Cybersecurity stocks are pulling away from the software sell-off, and AI is the reason
• AI and tech stocks trading lower 'due to high capital costs'
• Nobody is better positioned for AI right now than this company, argues market strategist