---
title: "AI boom fuels record spending but deepens economic divide"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/286660222.md"
description: "The AI boom has led to record spending, with top tech firms projected to invest $800B this year, increasing to $1.1T next year, representing over 3% of GDP. However, this growth has deepened economic divides, as around 10,000 AI insiders have gained over $20M each, while most workers see minimal benefits. Additionally, the AI gains obscure underlying economic issues such as tariffs, war, and sluggish consumer spending."
datetime: "2026-05-17T03:59:18.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/286660222.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286660222.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/286660222.md)
---

# AI boom fuels record spending but deepens economic divide

Who’s getting richer?: Roughly 10,000 AI insiders have amassed over $20M each, while most workers see little benefit from the boom. Spending surge: Top tech firms are set to spend $800B on AI this year, rising to $1.1T next year — over 3% of GDP. Economic distortion: AI gains dominate markets but mask weaknesses from tariffs, war, and slow consumer spending.

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