Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

Fortune

Diane Brady

The $665 billion question: Will Big Tech's AI gamble pay off?

Fortune Diane Brady Amazon Meta Microsoft

(Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In today’s CEO Daily: Diane Brady crunches the numbers from yesterday’s tech earnings bonanza.
The big leadership story: Starbucks’ turnaround is starting to take hold.
The markets: Down as oil hits a four-year high.
Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.

Good morning. And you thought the dollar figures being tossed around by the big banks this quarter were impressive? Prepare to be blown away by the budgets of Big Tech. Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft all reported earnings yesterday, collectively estimating they will invest up to $665 billion in AI this year, almost 75% more than the $381 billion they spent in 2025. Some takeaways:

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine

US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine

Candidates traded personal attacks, sparred over affordability, the economy and abortion win three closely watched US Senate debates on Thursday

The Guardian - US

India’s ‘Cockroach’ party accuses government of mass detention of members ahead of weekend protest

India’s ‘Cockroach’ party accuses government of mass detention of members ahead of weekend protest

Thousands expected to march in Delhi on Saturday, as anger mounts over controversial changes to voter lists in world’s largest democracy

The Guardian - AU

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy criticises US, calls for more Starlink access, amid deadly Russian assault

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy criticises US, calls for more Starlink access, amid deadly Russian assault

Ukrainian president says expanded Starlink access will help nation target Russian ballistic-missile launchers. What we know on day 1,689

The Guardian - AU

Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after botched execution attempt, lawyers say

Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after botched execution attempt, lawyers say

Lawyers seek preservation of evidence after prisoner received two doses of pentobarbital on 30 September

The Guardian - US

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Isaias strengthens into Category 2 hurricane; halts 63% of Gulf oil output, 1.3 mln barrels a day off market

Isaias strengthens into Category 2 hurricane; halts 63% of Gulf oil output, 1.3 mln barrels a day off market

Hurricane Isaias is predicted to become a dangerous storm as it approaches the Gulf Coast. Preparations are underway, including evacuations and securing boats in coastal areas. The hurricane could bring severe weather, including high winds and heavy rainfall, affecting multiple states. Oil production is also being impacted significantly due to…

The Economic Times

Houston Physician Indicted in Alleged $30 Million Scheme Billing Federal COVID Program for Office Visits That Never Happened

Houston Physician Indicted in Alleged $30 Million Scheme Billing Federal COVID Program for Office Visits That Never Happened

A Houston doctor faces fraud charges over an alleged $30 million scheme billing a federal COVID program for uninsured patients. What the case alleges.

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine

US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine

Candidates traded personal attacks, sparred over affordability, the economy and abortion win three closely watched US Senate debates on Thursday

The Guardian - US

India’s ‘Cockroach’ party accuses government of mass detention of members ahead of weekend protest

India’s ‘Cockroach’ party accuses government of mass detention of members ahead of weekend protest

Thousands expected to march in Delhi on Saturday, as anger mounts over controversial changes to voter lists in world’s largest democracy

The Guardian - AU

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy criticises US, calls for more Starlink access, amid deadly Russian assault

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy criticises US, calls for more Starlink access, amid deadly Russian assault

Ukrainian president says expanded Starlink access will help nation target Russian ballistic-missile launchers. What we know on day 1,689

The Guardian - AU

Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after botched execution attempt, lawyers say

Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after botched execution attempt, lawyers say

Lawyers seek preservation of evidence after prisoner received two doses of pentobarbital on 30 September

The Guardian - US

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Isaias strengthens into Category 2 hurricane; halts 63% of Gulf oil output, 1.3 mln barrels a day off market

Isaias strengthens into Category 2 hurricane; halts 63% of Gulf oil output, 1.3 mln barrels a day off market

Hurricane Isaias is predicted to become a dangerous storm as it approaches the Gulf Coast. Preparations are underway, including evacuations and securing boats in coastal areas. The hurricane could bring severe weather, including high winds and heavy rainfall, affecting multiple states. Oil production is also being impacted significantly due to…

The Economic Times

Houston Physician Indicted in Alleged $30 Million Scheme Billing Federal COVID Program for Office Visits That Never Happened

Houston Physician Indicted in Alleged $30 Million Scheme Billing Federal COVID Program for Office Visits That Never Happened

A Houston doctor faces fraud charges over an alleged $30 million scheme billing a federal COVID program for uninsured patients. What the case alleges.

Our Picks

Ben Affleck banned from Instagram twice

Hollywood actor Ben Affleck has revealed he was banned from Instagram twice for "impersonating" himself - admitting he only wanted an account to see what his kids were up to online.

Woman finds a white purse at a thrift store. Then she unzips a small pocket and realizes it isn’t empty: ‘This is crazy’

That was a surprise!

We Got This Covered

Pop Star Britney Spears Reportedly Branded 'Clueless' by Critics Over Recent Dollywood Ride Video

Britney Spears shared footage from a family visit to Dollywood, praising the Tennessee attraction, while some online viewers criticised the language heard during a spinning-ride video.

International Business Times UK

What Happened to Travis Barker? Musician Shares Hospital Photos as Kourtney Kardashian Stays by His Side

Travis Barker says he underwent cubital tunnel release surgery after experiencing numbness in his arm, hand and fingers, adding that he hopes to resume drumming within weeks.

International Business Times UK

Woman orders a Whopper and a Whopper Jr. at a mall Burger King. Then she sees the $30 total and shows the camera the tray: ‘This is crazy’

She showed everything that came with it.

We Got This Covered

'I didn't know this place existed': Britney Spears enjoys family day at Dollywood

Britney Spears enjoyed a visit to Dollywood with her two sons - but admitted she hadn't been aware the theme park "existed" before their trip.

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play