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'Very troubling': AI's self-investment spree sets off bubble alarms on Wall Street
NvidiaNvidia(US:NVDA) Yahoo Financeยท2025-10-13 16:05

Core Insights - The recent trend of AI infrastructure providers, particularly Nvidia, investing in their customers raises concerns about the sustainability and resilience of the AI ecosystem [2][3][9] - Analysts warn that the circular investment dynamic may create an illusion of higher demand for AI and increase the interconnectedness of Big Tech valuations, posing systemic risks [1][3][9] Investment Dynamics - Nvidia announced a partnership with OpenAI, committing up to $100 billion for the use of its chips in training AI models, highlighting the significant financial entanglement within the AI sector [3][10] - The trend of AI companies investing in their suppliers and vice versa is reminiscent of the dot-com bubble, where similar vendor financing led to significant market vulnerabilities [4][5][6] Historical Context - During the dot-com bubble, equipment vendors provided substantial loans to internet service providers, which ultimately led to widespread failures when capital became scarce, resulting in massive losses for the vendors [6][7] - The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell over 70% from March 2000 to the end of 2002, illustrating the potential consequences of interconnected financial dependencies [7] Current Concerns - Critics express worries about the reliance on OpenAI's success, as the company has yet to turn a profit, raising questions about the stability of the investments tied to its performance [9][10] - Analysts note that some AI companies are increasing their debt levels while receiving investments, which could indicate unhealthy financial practices within the ecosystem [10][11] Diverging Opinions - Some analysts argue that these partnerships are beneficial as they expedite capital deployment for AI infrastructure, potentially leading to quicker returns on investments [12] - Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang defends the investments, suggesting that OpenAI could become a multitrillion-dollar company, thus justifying the financial commitments made [14]