Major technology companies are significantly increasing their borrowing to fund the construction of AI data centers, with BofA data revealing that AI-focused Big Tech firms issued $75 billion in U.S. investment grade debt in September and October alone. This figure more than doubles the sector's average annual borrowing. Specifically, Meta borrowed $30 billion, and Oracle secured $18 billion, in addition to a $38 billion loan for its Vantage data centers. Google owner Alphabet also announced new borrowing to support its AI infrastructure. While this AI boom drives global stock markets, concerns are rising within the financial system, with institutions like the Bank of England noting potential risks associated with the complex debt financing used for these data centers. Oracle's shares, for instance, soared 54% in 2025, yet its credit risk is also increasing. Despite this massive investment by tech giants, many top executives are slowing down their own AI initiatives due to economic and geopolitical uncertainties, a phenomenon dubbed 'policy paralysis.' An Ivalua survey indicates that while 77% of businesses use AI in procurement, only 36% consider it a top supply chain goal, and S&P Global reports a drop in positive results from generative AI investments. Businesses are prioritizing cost control and risk reduction, though experts suggest innovation should remain a focus. For those adopting AI, a thoughtful strategy is crucial, moving beyond simply replacing old systems. A Reworked survey shows 78% of companies plan to adopt AI tools, emphasizing the need for clear frameworks, specific use cases, and an upskilled workforce, with AI responsibility extending company-wide. AI's practical applications are expanding rapidly across various sectors. YouTube is leveraging AI to upgrade older, standard-definition videos to high-definition, supporting its growing focus on TV viewing, which accounted for a record 12.5% of all U.S. television viewing in May 2025. New AI hardware devices, such as the Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin, are transforming traditional dictaphones by offering automatic summaries and speaker identification, building on features already seen in Google Pixel phones' Recorder app. For the holiday season, AI tools are assisting shoppers with gift ideas, price comparisons, and product reviews. Looking ahead, OpenAI and designer Jony Ive are collaborating on a new AI hardware device, expected in 2026, which aims to provide a more natural and intuitive human-AI interaction, potentially as a screenless device with advanced memory and context-aware technologies. The rise of AI is also reshaping human roles, with new positions like the 'AI Team Leader' emerging in fields such as security operations centers. These leaders will manage AI agents, allowing human analysts to focus on strategic tasks by acting as advisors, coordinators, and approvers. However, the increasing realism of AI also brings challenges, as seen when millions of TikTok users were surprised to learn that viral videos of retirement home residents in Halloween costumes were entirely AI-generated, raising concerns about content labeling and authenticity. To further explore these developments, a free symposium on artificial intelligence, 'Authentic Trailblazing,' is scheduled for November 17 in Abingdon, Virginia, featuring leaders from various levels of the AI community.
Key Takeaways
- AI-focused Big Tech companies borrowed $75 billion in U.S. investment grade debt in September and October, more than double the sector's average annual borrowing.
- Meta borrowed $30 billion and Oracle borrowed $18 billion, with Google owner Alphabet also announcing new borrowing for AI data centers.
- Oracle secured an additional $38 billion loan for its Vantage data centers, despite rising credit risk.
- The Bank of England and others are raising concerns about the financial risks associated with complex debt financing for AI data centers.
- Many executives are pausing AI investments due to economic and geopolitical uncertainties, with positive results from generative AI investments reportedly dropping.
- YouTube is using AI to upgrade standard-definition videos to high-definition, supporting a record 12.5% share of U.S. TV viewing in May 2025.
- New AI devices like Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin are transforming audio recording with features like automatic summaries and speaker identification, building on Google Pixel's Recorder app.
- OpenAI and designer Jony Ive are developing a new AI hardware device, expected in 2026, focused on natural, intuitive human-AI interaction, potentially screenless.
- AI is creating new human roles, such as the 'AI Team Leader,' who will manage AI agents in areas like security operations.
- Viral AI-generated videos on TikTok, like those from @basincreekretirement, highlight concerns about AI realism and the need for clear content labeling.
Big Tech borrows billions for AI data centers
AI-focused Big Tech companies are borrowing a lot of money to build data centers. BofA data shows they issued $75 billion in U.S. investment grade debt in September and October alone. This amount is more than double the sector's average annual borrowing. Meta borrowed $30 billion, and Oracle borrowed $18 billion. Google owner Alphabet also announced new borrowing, and Oracle secured a $38 billion loan for its Vantage data centers.
AI data center boom raises debt concerns
The AI boom is driving global stocks up, but financing for data centers uses complex debt. Some, like the Bank of England, see risks building in the financial system. BofA data shows AI-focused Big Tech issued $75 billion in U.S. investment grade debt in September and October 2025. This includes $30 billion from Meta and $18 billion from Oracle, plus new borrowing from Google owner Alphabet. Oracle's shares soared 54% in 2025, but its credit risk is rising. Private credit and asset-backed securities are also increasingly funding AI data centers.
Businesses pause AI investments due to uncertainty
Many top executives are slowing down their AI investments despite seeing its value. An Ivalua survey shows 77% are using AI in procurement, but only 36% see it as a top supply chain goal. S&P Global found that positive results from GenAI investments have dropped. Ivalua's Alex Saric says "policy paralysis" from economic and geopolitical uncertainties is causing this slowdown. Businesses are focusing on controlling costs and reducing risks, but Saric believes innovation should still be a priority.
YouTube uses AI to improve old videos for TV
YouTube is using artificial intelligence to upgrade its older, standard-definition videos to high-definition. This move supports the platform's focus on TV viewing, which is growing fast. In May 2025, YouTube made up 12.5% of all U.S. television viewing, a record high. Creators can choose to opt out, and the original video files will remain. YouTube also plans to expand thumbnail sizes for 4K images and test larger video uploads to enhance the TV experience.
New AI devices transform traditional dictaphones
AI hardware is changing how people record audio, moving beyond traditional dictaphones. Google Pixel phones already offer real-time transcription through the Recorder app. Now, new devices like the Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin provide even more advanced features. These devices magnetically attach to phones and offer automatic summaries and speaker identification after uploading to Plaud's cloud servers. Plaud offers different subscription plans for transcription minutes, with devices costing $159 each.
AI helps with holiday shopping this season
As the holiday season approaches, artificial intelligence can make shopping easier. Jessica Holt from U.S. Cellular and T-Mobile explained how AI can assist shoppers. AI tools can help people find gift ideas, compare prices across different stores, and read product reviews. This technology aims to simplify the holiday shopping experience for everyone.
Build a smart AI strategy for your business
Businesses need a thoughtful strategy to successfully use AI, rather than replacing old systems. A Reworked survey shows 78% plan to adopt AI tools, with many exploring generative and agentic AI. Success requires clear frameworks, specific use cases, and an upskilled workforce. AI should be a company-wide responsibility, not just for one department. Companies should start with small, targeted AI improvements to automate tasks, gain insights, and improve document management.
AI will create new roles for human leaders
The rise of AI will not end human analysts but create new roles like the "AI Team Leader." Aaron Isaksen from Palo Alto Networks Cortex explains this new approach for security operations centers. Human leaders will manage teams of AI agents, freeing people from low-level alerts to focus on strategic work. The AI Team Leader will act as an Advisor, guiding AI with business context, a Coordinator, setting rules and ethical boundaries, and an Approver, making final decisions. This evolution helps human teams unlock their full potential against AI-driven threats.
TikTok users fooled by AI retirement home videos
Millions of TikTok users were surprised to learn that viral videos of retirement home residents in Halloween costumes were created by AI. The popular account @basincreekretirement posted clips showing seniors dressed as a "spice girl" and a "bag of ice." The account's bio and website confirm that Basin Creek Retirement Village is fictional and all content is AI-generated for fun. While many enjoyed the videos, some users expressed concern about the realism of AI and the lack of clear labeling.
OpenAI and Jony Ive plan new AI device
OpenAI and designer Jony Ive are working on a new AI hardware device expected in 2026. This device aims to change how humans interact with AI by making it more natural and intuitive. It will use advanced memory and context-aware technologies to understand its environment in real time. The device is expected to be screenless, possibly like a smart speaker with a 360-degree camera, focusing on voice and video interaction. It plans to address challenges like privacy and power management to offer a seamless, mass-market AI experience.
Abingdon hosts free AI symposium November 17
A free symposium on artificial intelligence will take place on November 17 in Abingdon, Virginia. The event, called "Symposium on Artificial Intelligence; Authentic Trailblazing," will be held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. It offers a chance to learn from leaders in AI from local, state, national, and international levels. Keynote speakers from Duke Law and UVA's Darden School of Business will attend, along with panel discussions and breakout sessions.
Sources
- Five debt hotspots in the AI data centre boom
- Five debt hotspots in the AI data centre boom By Reuters
- Is AI Investment Being Stalled by ‘Policy Paralysis’?
- YouTube Deploys AI To Upscale Old Videos For TV As Living Room Viewing Surges
- AI hardware is reinventing the humble dictaphone
- Tech Talk: Using AI for your holiday shopping needs
- Rethinking Your AI Strategy
- The End of the Human Analyst? No, It's the Rise of the AI Team Leader
- TikTok Users Crushed After Finding Out Viral Retirement Home Residents Dressed Up for Halloween Are Actually AI
- OpenAI & Jony Ive's Secret Device : Context-Aware AI Hardware Expected in 2026
- Symposium on artificial intelligence coming up November 17 in Abingdon
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