
Why Big Tech’s AI Billions Are Being Rewarded Unevenly
The recent earnings calls of Microsoft and Meta have sent a clear message to the industry: the era of unmeasured AI investments has come to an end. The market is no longer rewarding AI spending in a vacuum, but instead demands clarity, execution, and monetization.
While Microsoft and Meta’s impressive performances may come as a surprise to some, it’s crucial to recognize that the AI accountability era is here to stay. This shift away from hype and towards performance has redefined how investors judge AI investments. Companies can no longer rely on vague promises or flashy demos; they must demonstrate productized AI, enterprise adoption, or embedded monetization.
According to recent reports, companies are generating an average of $3.50 in value for every $1 spent on AI, with over 90% of initiatives delivering measurable returns within 18 months. This transformation means investor decks will focus less on model size and more on use case adoption, margin expansion, and defensible infrastructure.
In other words, the era of building just “AI models” is over; it’s time to build an AI business.
Source: www.forbes.com