Marketplace · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Business investment in AI is significantly contributing to the second quarter's GDP growth, with spending on AI accounting for an estimated quarter of GDP growth over the past year. Companies are investing heavily in AI-related software, communications equipment, and data centers to avoid falling behind competitors, though a portion of the necessary high-tech components are imported.
“They're doing what they can to spend on AI today because they don't want to be left behind when it does become revolutionary to their day-to-day work.”
“Basically, if AI turns out to be an era-defining technology, like, say, the wheel was, companies don't want to be left without any wheels dragging way behind their competitors.”
“a continued prioritization of things that are high-tech or AI related.”
“Wells Fargo estimates that AI spending accounts for a quarter of GDP growth over the past year.”