The AI Spending Dilemma: Where's the ROI?

The AI boom has brought with it a surge in spending, but tech leaders are starting to ask tough questions. Companies like Uber and Google are grappling with the rising costs of AI without seeing proportional returns. Are they getting what they paid for, or just riding a costly wave?

AI Costs: More Than Just a Line Item

Uber's COO Andrew Macdonald has voiced concerns about AI's impact on productivity. He points out a huge gap between what companies are spending and the tangible benefits they're experiencing. It's a sentiment echoed by many in the industry. Spending is up, yet the promised efficiency gains remain elusive.

OpenAI's Sam Altman isn't surprised. CEO conversations reveal a shared frustration: rising costs but no clear revenue boost. While Altman sees this as a teething problem of a nascent technology, one can't help but wonder if the optimism around AI is running ahead of its utility.

The Real Cost of 'Tokenmaxxing'

The term 'tokenmaxxing' has entered the lexicon to describe the excessive use of AI tokens without clear oversight. Shruti Gandhi, from Array Ventures, likens it to a factory running all lights and machines without regard for output. It's a pointed criticism that highlights corporate America's struggle with AI's ROI.

Michael Burry of 'The Big Short' fame predicts the unsustainable nature of this trend. He calls it a temporary phase driven by corporate pressure rather than genuine business needs. Gary Marcus echoes this, warning of a bubble if companies like Uber continue to report no ROI. Is the AI investment actually worth it, or is the bubble about to burst?

Efficiency Over Hype

Interestingly, some see a path forward. Google CEO Sundar Pichai suggests efficiency as a solution, promoting models like Google's Gemini 3.5 Flash that aim to cut costs. But will these adjustments satisfy a growing number of skeptics?

As AI's promise meets financial reality, companies are at a crossroads. They must decide whether to double down on AI or reassess their strategies. Africa isn't waiting to be disrupted. It's already building. Perhaps it's time for the tech giants to take a page from that playbook.