The race to dominate artificial intelligence is reshaping capital budgets at some of the world’s largest technology firms. In 2025 alone, major players spent around $155 billion on servers and data centers – a proxy for AI investment – and that figure is only expected to grow. Analysts forecast that commitments from Meta, Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft will exceed $400 billion in the coming year.
Who is spending what?
- Meta has doubled its capex from a year ago, reaching roughly $30.7 billion.
- Alphabet is on track to invest nearly $40 billion.
- Amazon leads the pack with about $55.7 billion.
- Microsoft plans to spend more than $30 billion in the current quarter.
Collectively, these commitments show that infrastructure – not flashy models – is where the next leap in AI capability will come from.
Why it matters
Expanding data centers and purchasing specialized chips is essential for training and running ever-larger AI models. Each dollar spent on GPUs, networking equipment and clean energy is an investment in future products, such as smarter assistants and more responsive services. While Apple has hinted that it will increase AI spending, it hasn’t disclosed numbers. For consumers, this arms race could translate into more capable devices and services in the next few years.