经济日报:投资者对美股人工智能泡沫担忧升温

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing volatility of AI concept stocks in the US market, highlighting concerns about an "AI bubble" as major firms like Nvidia see soaring valuations while others, including SoftBank and Citadel, reduce their stakes in these stocks [2][3][4]. Group 1: Valuation Concerns - AI concept stocks are perceived to have inflated valuations that may not be sustainable, with Nvidia's stock price increasing approximately 11 times since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, while the S&P 500 index rose about 70% during the same period [2][3]. - Nvidia's market capitalization recently surpassed $5 trillion, exceeding Germany's annual GDP, raising questions about the sustainability of such valuations [2]. - Oracle's stock surged 41% after announcing a $300 billion order from OpenAI, yet its latest financial report revealed an AI cloud service gross margin of only 14%, indicating potential profitability issues [2]. Group 2: Infrastructure Investment - Major tech companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon, are engaged in a significant "AI arms race," with projected capital expenditures on AI infrastructure reaching $1.4 trillion from 2025 to 2027 [3]. - In 2023 alone, investments in the AI sector amounted to $500 billion, but returns have yet to materialize, suggesting a risk of sunk costs if technology becomes outdated [3]. Group 3: Financing Risks - The current financing model among AI giants involves mutual investments and high-value contracts, which may inflate revenue figures artificially, creating a risk of collapse if any part of the chain falters [3][4]. - The shift from light-asset to heavy-asset models among tech companies is leading to increased debt reliance, with $157 billion raised in the US bond market by tech firms as of September 2023, a 70% year-on-year increase [5]. Group 4: Profitability Challenges - There is a significant mismatch between the costs associated with AI and the value generated, with nearly 80% of companies deploying AI failing to achieve net profit increases [4]. - OpenAI reported $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2023 but incurred a net loss of $13.5 billion, highlighting the profitability challenges in the sector [5]. Group 5: Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - Some industry leaders, including Bill Gates and IMF President Kristalina Georgieva, warn that the current AI investment frenzy resembles the late 1990s internet bubble, suggesting potential for significant losses [5][6]. - Supporters of AI argue for its vast demand and potential, with Nvidia's CEO asserting that current AI technology is actively utilized, and capital expenditures among major cloud providers are expected to rise to $632 billion by 2027 [6]. - The article emphasizes the need to differentiate between short-term market fluctuations and the long-term innovative potential of AI, suggesting that while market corrections may occur, the fundamental advancements in productivity driven by AI remain promising [7][8].