Tech article
Cracks are emerging in the AI spending boom
Publisher description: Big Tech is pouring billions into AI infrastructure, but mounting debt, negative cash flow, and growing investor skepticism are raising questions about the sustainability of the AI spending boom.
TechCrunch | Oct 30, 2026 | Rebecca Bellan
Automated excerpt
Amazon is in a similar boat after reporting negative free cash flow of $42.4 billion over the past 12 months, compared with $14.8 billion in positive free cash flow the year before. Meta s also burning cash, reporting negative free cash flow of $2.1 billion in the third quarter as capex outpaced its operating cash. Microsoft was the only exception when it came to free cash flow — it recorded $18.6 billion in positive free cash flow in its latest quarter, with spending on capex at $45.2 billion, less than the $50 billion it projected.
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