The gap becomes measurable

The week the AI gap stopped being a metaphor and started being a number, across three continents and three very different strategies.

This week, the gap between the world's AI superpowers became something we can actually measure. The four biggest US tech companies are tracking above $700B in AI infrastructure spend for 2026, Anthropic raised $65B in five days, and Europe committed €180M over six years. We unpack what the concentration means for your supply chain, your sovereignty, and the four questions every business leader should bring to their next planning session.

What Stood Out This Week

  • US AI infrastructure spend hit a new scale. The four big hyperscalers reported $130B in combined capex for one quarter, with full-year 2026 tracking above $700B.
  • Anthropic raised $65B in five days, then got shut out of the Pentagon. Classified AI contracts went to Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, SpaceX, and Reflection.
  • China's AI stack is now complete. DeepSeek V4 runs on Huawei chips with reported $20B funding talks led by Tencent and Alibaba — own models, own silicon, own buyers.

 

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Future Bytes is your go-to podcast for practical insights on AI. Hosted by VP Group AI Magnus Oxenwaldt, each episode offers deep-dive guest interviews or weekly AI news, delivered in concise 5 – 10 minute episodes.

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