- Analysis from FT News Briefing shows that US corporations continuously mention AI in financial reports and public statements, but most cannot clearly explain how to apply AI.
- The study is based on all S&P 500 10-K filings and earnings call transcripts, processed using ChatGPT for big data analysis.
- The results show a significant difference:
- Public statements by CEOs: frequently use “buzzwords” like “Cambrian explosion,” “flywheel of innovation,” affirming that AI will create revolutionary innovation.
- Official reports: more cautious, emphasizing risks related to cybersecurity, legal issues, and high costs.
- Many companies admit using AI due to “fear of missing out” (FOMO). They worry that competitors applying it first will create an advantage, even though they themselves don’t have clear deployment plans.
- Some practical application cases:
- Huntington Ingalls (defense): uses AI for battlefield decisions.
- Zoetis (veterinary medicine): accelerates testing for horses.
- Dover Corporation (manufacturing): monitors vehicles damaged by hail.
- However, among these, only 1 company outperformed the S&P 500 in growth (excluding the “Magnificent Seven” Big Tech group). This indicates that AI adoption does not necessarily equate to revenue/profit growth.
- Melissa Heikkilä, FT’s AI correspondent, emphasizes: AI has potential but cannot be applied to “everything.” “Stuffing AI” into every process may not yield results, especially when costs are too high and investors are gradually losing patience due to unclear returns.
- Meanwhile, data infrastructure companies (data centers, chips) and Big Tech are direct beneficiaries of the AI craze.
📌 US businesses are chasing the AI trend more out of fear of missing out (FOMO) than a clear strategy. Many companies promote AI as a “revolutionary innovation,” but official reports primarily express concerns about costs and risks. AI has potential but cannot be applied to “everything.” “Stuffing AI” into every process may not necessarily yield results. Apart from Big Tech, very few businesses show significant growth. The big question: Is AI truly creating value or just a “tech bubble”?
