AI companies may never become profitable

The Guardian recently suggested that the entire AI industry is fundamentally based on a loss-making model. Some critics have calculated the cost of servicing a single user, and it exceeds the potential revenue. Many analysts are skeptical about the profitability of AI companies, believing they are simply absorbing billions without any guarantee of a return on investment.

Investments in the AI sector

Investments in the AI sector in 2025 were approximately $400 billion, and in 2026, investments are expected to exceed these figures. A significant portion of the investments was attracted directly to the construction of data centers. Despite global plans, revenue from AI products is not growing as rapidly and does not yet cover expenses.

The standard logic of any startup is that costs decrease as it scales. In AI companies, new generations of language models require not only highly-qualified experts but also high energy and big data costs. According to Deutsche Bank forecasts, by 2030, the cost of AI data centers could reach $4 trillion. In addition, the centers are equipped with Nvidia chips, which have a fairly limited service life — this aspect could also negatively affect profitability.

If the industry is indeed affected by this problem, the consequences will be felt in many countries. Banks, investors, technology exporters, and many other participants in the process will suffer. The British office has calculated the possible consequences, as a result of which global stocks could fall by 35%, and the country's GDP could decline by 0.6%.