Salesforce unveils market shift as Microsoft announces AI investments

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The artificial intelligence sector is experiencing a significant shift in investment focus, with global trends now favoring hardware over software. This "fracture" in the market, evident around February 9, 2026, follows an initial surge across all AI-linked companies after ChatGPT's November 2022 launch. Investors are now closely scrutinizing the high costs and returns associated with AI spending. While software and data firms like Salesforce have seen notable drops in stock value, chipmakers and data center companies are experiencing less severe declines. Even "Magnificent 7" tech giants such as Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon saw their shares fall after announcing substantial AI investments, contrasting with a surge in South Korean memory chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Concerns about a potential AI spending bubble are also growing among investors. Over the past two weeks, tech leaders including Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft revealed plans to spend a combined $660 billion on AI in the coming year. These announcements, however, led to a decrease in their stock prices, reminding some of the dot-com bubble of 2000. Adding to this sense of déjà vu, Super Bowl LX on February 8th featured an advertisement for the AI chatbot Claude, a detail that resonated with long-time market observers.

The intense pace of AI development is also driving a demanding work culture within many tech companies, with some adopting a "996" schedule—9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, totaling 70-72 hours. Rilla, a New York-based AI firm, exemplifies this, with its head of growth, Will Gao, likening employees to "Olympian athletes" and seeking individuals with "infinite ambition." This rigorous approach is fueled by the industry's rapid evolution and the imperative to quickly develop and monetize new AI technologies.

In other AI developments, Cisco is donating Project CodeGuard, a framework launched in October 2025 that embeds security rules into AI coding workflows, to the Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI). This move aims to foster industry collaboration in AI security, with leading organizations like Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Microsoft actively involved in its further development. Meanwhile, Varonis plans to acquire AllTrue.ai to enhance its data security platform with AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management (AI TRiSM), providing visibility and control over AI systems interacting with enterprise data.

AI is also finding novel applications and facing unique challenges. SpaceMolt, a new online game created by Ian Langworth, is designed exclusively for AI agents to compete, cooperate, and create stories autonomously; Langworth even used Anthropic's Claude Code for design and bug fixing. Atlanta-based Cove Architecture claims to be the first "AI-powered" architecture firm, integrating AI into nearly every design step using its proprietary BIM application. However, the spread of misinformation remains a concern, as seen with a detailed hoax about a fake OpenAI Super Bowl LX ad on February 9, 2026, which OpenAI president Greg Brockman quickly debunked on X.

Despite AI's rapid advancements, the human element remains crucial. Sam Hanmer of Rush Insurance Group Inc. notes that while AI will significantly reduce insurance costs and automate tasks in 2026, about 75% of consumers still prefer human assistance for claims during stressful times. Similarly, Colorado State University philosophy Professor Paul DiRado is restructuring his introductory classes to discourage AI use, aiming to foster human thinking and conversation, and plans to extend this approach to higher-level courses.

Key Takeaways

Global AI investment is shifting from software to hardware, with investors scrutinizing high costs and returns, causing drops for firms like Salesforce while chipmakers gain.
Tech giants, including Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon, announced a combined $660 billion in AI spending, but their stock prices fell, raising concerns about an AI spending bubble.
Many AI tech companies are adopting a demanding "996" work culture (70-72 hours/week) to accelerate development and profit, exemplified by Rilla.
Cisco is donating Project CodeGuard, an AI security framework, to the Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI), with Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Microsoft as active members.
Varonis plans to acquire AllTrue.ai to integrate AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management (AI TRiSM) into its data security platform, enhancing control over AI systems.
A detailed hoax about a fake OpenAI Super Bowl LX ad, featuring Alexander Skarsgård and Jony Ive with ChatGPT hardware, spread on February 9, 2026, but was quickly debunked by OpenAI president Greg Brockman.
AI is set to reduce insurance costs, speed up claims, and personalize pricing in 2026, but 75% of consumers still prefer human interaction for claims during stressful times.
SpaceMolt is a new online game designed exclusively for AI agents to autonomously compete, cooperate, and create stories, with Anthropic's Claude Code used in its development.
Cove Architecture in Atlanta claims to be the first "AI-powered" architecture firm, integrating AI into nearly every design step using its proprietary BIM application.
Colorado State University Professor Paul DiRado is modifying philosophy classes to discourage AI use, aiming to promote human thinking and conversation among students.

OpenAI Super Bowl ad was a big fake

A detailed hoax about a fake OpenAI hardware ad spread widely during Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 9, 2026. The false story began on Reddit with a new account posting a supposed ad for an OpenAI device. OpenAI president Greg Brockman quickly confirmed on X that the company did not release any Super Bowl ad. Tech reporter Max Weinbach noted the hoax included fake AdAge headlines and offers to reporters, which AdAge reporter Gillian Follett denied. This incident shows how easily misinformation can spread, especially when it taps into existing rumors about OpenAI's partnership with Jony Ive on hardware.

OpenAI Super Bowl ad featuring Skarsg g d was a hoax

A supposed OpenAI Super Bowl ad featuring actor Alexander Skarsg g d and designer Jony Ive with new ChatGPT hardware was a complete hoax. The fake ad showed earbuds and a shiny orb, but OpenAI president Greg Brockman quickly debunked the claims on X. Richard Lawler reported on February 9, 2026, that the hoax was well-planned and spread through many channels. Tech reporter Max Weinbach and AdAge reporter Gillian Follett also confirmed the story was false.

AI gold rush drives tech firms to 72-hour work weeks

Many tech companies in the AI industry are now embracing a demanding work culture known as "996," which means working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. This often results in 70-72 hour work weeks. Rilla, a New York-based AI company that monitors sales reps, is a prime example, with its head of growth Will Gao comparing employees to "Olympian athletes." This intense pace is driven by the rapid development of AI and the need for companies to quickly develop and profit from new technologies. The 996 culture first became popular in China a decade ago, supported by figures like Jack Ma of Alibaba.com, but later faced a legal crackdown there by 2021.

AI boom pushes tech companies to work 72 hours weekly

The fast-growing AI industry is leading many tech companies to adopt a demanding "996" work schedule, meaning employees work from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. This often adds up to about 70 hours weekly. Rilla, an AI business in New York, exemplifies this culture, with its head of growth Will Gao seeking employees with "infinite ambition." Companies are pushing for these long hours to quickly develop and profit from AI, fearing competitors will get ahead. The 996 culture started in China a decade ago and was supported by leaders like Jack Ma, but it later faced legal challenges there by 2021.

Investors now prefer AI hardware over software

The global AI investment trend is changing, with investors now favoring hardware over software, causing a "fracture" in the market. Initially, all AI-linked companies surged after ChatGPT launched in November 2022. However, recent market turmoil on February 9, 2026, shows investors are now closely examining the high costs and returns of AI spending. Software and data firms like ServiceNow and Salesforce have seen significant drops, while chipmakers and data center companies are falling less. The "Magnificent 7" tech stocks are also diverging, with companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon seeing their shares fall after announcing huge AI investments. Meanwhile, South Korean memory chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are experiencing a surge in investment.

Cisco gives Project CodeGuard to AI security group

Cisco announced it is donating Project CodeGuard to the Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI) to boost industry collaboration in AI security. Project CodeGuard, launched in October 2025, is a framework that embeds security rules directly into AI coding workflows to prevent vulnerabilities from the start. Cisco believes securing AI-generated code is a challenge for the entire industry. Leading AI organizations such as Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Microsoft are active CoSAI members and will help develop the project further. Cisco will continue to contribute engineers and improvements, seeing this donation as an investment in the project's long-term success.

AI will change insurance but humans still matter

Sam Hanmer of Rush Insurance Group Inc. states that AI's biggest impact on insurance in 2026 will be reducing costs across the board. AI will speed up claims processing through digitalization and make routine tasks more convenient with 24/7 AI agents. It will also personalize insurance prices based on customer behavior and business cybersecurity. However, about 75% of consumers still prefer human help for claims during stressful times. Hanmer believes that while carriers might reduce staff due to AI, insurance agencies can gain a competitive edge by maintaining a personal touch and offering new career opportunities.

SpaceMolt is a new game for AI agents only

SpaceMolt is a new online game designed only for AI agents, where they can compete, cooperate, and create stories in space. Created by Ian Langworth, this game allows AI agents to connect and play autonomously by sending simple commands. Agents start by mining ore and then gain skills to craft items, form factions, and even engage in space combat. While agents inform their human controllers through a "Captain's Log," they make their own decisions within the game. Langworth even used Anthropic's Claude Code to help design the game and automatically fix bugs, showing a new frontier for AI-driven entertainment.

Cove Architecture uses AI in every design step

Cove Architecture, based in Atlanta, calls itself the first "AI-powered" architecture firm because it uses AI in nearly every part of its design process. Co-founders Patrick Chopson and Sandeep Ahuja started Cove in 2017 as a software company before shifting to architecture two years ago. They developed their own BIM application with AI at its core, allowing AI to help with drawing and decision-making. Cove follows an "AI-powered, but human-centered" approach, meaning people provide the creative vision while AI helps bring those ideas to life and reduces design friction. This firm explores how AI can enhance architecture by understanding intent and validating design choices.

Investors worry about an AI spending bubble

Investors are growing cautious about the massive spending on artificial intelligence, fearing a potential market bubble. Over the past two weeks, tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft announced plans to spend a combined $660 billion on AI in the coming year. However, their stock prices have fallen since these announcements, indicating investor concern. This situation reminds some of the dot-com bubble of 2000, which saw many internet companies advertise during the Super Bowl before a market crash. This year's Super Bowl LX on February 8th featured an ad for the AI chatbot Claude, adding to the sense of déjà vu for long-time investors.

Varonis buys AllTrue.ai for AI security

Varonis announced its plan to acquire AllTrue.ai to enhance its data security platform with AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management, or AI TRiSM. AllTrue.ai helps companies understand and control how AI systems behave, offering visibility into AI assets and real-time security measures. This acquisition addresses the growing risks as AI models and agents increasingly interact with enterprise data at high speeds. The combined platform will identify AI systems, assess their security, and apply controls to reduce exposure. Ron Bennatan, AllTrue.ai's CEO, emphasized that AI security must be built on data-centric security.

CSU professor teaches students to avoid AI

Colorado State University philosophy Professor Paul DiRado is changing his introductory classes to help students avoid using AI and instead focus on human thinking. During a February 5 session at The Institute for Learning and Teaching, DiRado explained his goal is to make AI "not even a temptation" in his courses. He believes it is crucial for students to develop their own thoughts and engage in conversations, rather than relying on machines. Joseph Brown and Chris Geanious from TILT support DiRado's approach, recognizing the challenge of balancing AI skills with preserving the core value of humanities education. DiRado plans to implement this structure in higher-level classes as well.