Artificial intelligence (AI) investments by businesses have become the primary driver of U.S. economic growth, surpassing the traditional influence of household spending. In the first half of 2025, enterprise spending on AI infrastructure contributed more to the nation’s GDP growth than consumer purchases, marking a significant shift in what fuels economic momentum.
Major technology companies are now channeling more than $400 billion into building and expanding data centers, developing advanced chips, and reinforcing AI infrastructure. This corporate spending spree is reshaping the American economy from the ground up, focusing growth on digital and technological innovation rather than on consumer activity.
However, this rapid expansion has brought new challenges. The surge in demand from data centers is sharply increasing energy consumption nationwide, resulting in higher electricity bills for both businesses and households.
While AI-driven capital spending has breathed new life into economic development, questions remain about the sustainability of this growth if profits from these hefty investments do not materialize quickly enough. The transformation underway is significant, but it leaves the broader economy exposed if the financial returns from AI fail to meet expectations.
