What are the characteristics of this capital expenditure boom? What are the macroeconomic risks? And how can you lead through it? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Read online  /  Manage email preferences

Harvard Business Review | HBR Recommends
 

One timely idea, hand-picked by HBR editors.

 
Abstract composition of translucent, iridescent bubble-like shapes in pink, purple, and blue tones against a gradient background.

The Questions You Should Be Asking About the AI Bubble

Is there an AI capex bubble? And if so, when will it pop?

As total investment in data centers climbs—from hundreds of billions to lately several trillion dollars—the fear of compute overcapacity, low or negative returns, and a recession escalates. 

But asking the right question matters. A better approach asks what the current AI capex boom entails, what are its linkages and risks to the macroeconomy, and how can prudent executives realistically navigate such a powerful trend. 

A surge in activity carries macroeconomic risks, but a damaging bust is not a foregone conclusion. Despite their universally bad reputation, bubbles can leave a positive legacy—even when they pop.  

by Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz

Read the full article here

More Resources:

  • AI and the Looming Competition for Margin
  • The End of Cheap Capital
  • Is AI a Boom or a Bubble?
 

Upcoming Event

HBR Innovation Summit

Join us November 12 for masterclasses and CEO insights at the HBR Innovation Summit. On November 13, HBR Executive subscribers can participate in the Innovation Forum to put the Summit’s ideas into practice.

Register now
 

HBR.ORG  |  TOPICS  |  THE MAGAZINE  |  BOOKS  |  CASES  |  STORE  |  SUBSCRIBE TO HBR

 
X LogoLinkedIn LogoFacebook LogoInstagram Logo TikTok LogoYouTube Logo
X LogoLinkedIn Logo Facebook LogoInstagram LogoTikTok LogoYouTube Logo

You are receiving this because you registered at hbr.org to receive Harvard Business Review emails, or you provided us with your email address.

Enjoying this HBR Recommends email? If you prefer to receive all HBR Recommends emails, please subscribe here.

If you prefer not to receive HBR Recommends emails, please unsubscribe.

You may also Manage Email Preferences, view our Privacy Policy and Subscription Terms, or Contact Us.

To ensure email delivery, add emailteam@emails.hbr.org to your address book, contacts, or safe sender list.

Harvard Business Publishing, 20 Guest St, Suite 400, Brighton, MA 02135  

Copyright © 2026 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved.

https://link.hbr.org/oc/654aa511fe5aeb7c2eb46f1bsacbt.50tr/ecbe1e28