Alphabet’s AI Bets Pay Off Amid Economic Worries
谷歌母公司Alphabet押注AI取得回报，缓解经济忧虑
谷歌母公司Alphabet公布的第一季度利润和营收均超出华尔街预期，主要得益于其积极的AI投资推动了广告销售增长。公司向投资者保证，尽管全球经济不确定性加剧，但AI项目已经带来了稳健的回报。同时，Alphabet还宣布将回购700亿美元股票，消息一出，股价盘后上涨4%，市值增加了750亿美元。
Google parent Alphabet beat Wall Street’s first-quarter profit and revenue expectations, thanks to strong ad sales driven by its aggressive AI investments. The company reassured investors that despite global economic uncertainties, AI initiatives are delivering solid returns. Alphabet also announced a massive US$70 billion stock buyback plan, sending its shares up 4% in after-hours trading and boosting its market value by US$75 billion.
Sticking to its ambitious AI expansion strategy, Alphabet maintained its US$75 billion capital expenditure forecast for the year. This positive outlook also lifted shares of other Big Tech companies like Meta and Amazon. However, analysts noted subtle signs that tech giants might be slowing new data center developments, possibly in response to rising costs from the ongoing US-China trade tensions.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have stirred fears of an economic downturn, making advertisers cautious and pressuring companies to rethink big spending projects. Nevertheless, major tech firms insist that continued investment in AI is critical for staying competitive, even as financial risks loom.
