The world’s largest technology companies are ramping up their efforts in artificial intelligence (AI), with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet committing over $300 billion to AI infrastructure in 2025. This represents a 63% increase from last year, underscoring AI’s rapid shift from a research focus to a core technological force. Beyond advancing AI development, this surge highlights AI’s expanding role in Web3, decentralised applications, and the wider digital economy.
A large portion of this spending is directed towards building data centres, developing advanced chips, and expanding cloud services to support AI models. Amazon has allocated over $100 billion, primarily towards Amazon Web Services (AWS), while Google’s Alphabet has increased its AI spending by 42% to $75 billion. Microsoft, continuing its deep partnership with OpenAI, is committing $80 billion to expand Azure’s AI infrastructure.
While some question whether these large-scale expenditures will immediately translate into revenue, the long-term impact on Web3, decentralised finance (DeFi), and tokenised economies is becoming clearer. AI is no longer an isolated technology—it is driving automation in blockchain, decentralised data processing, and next-generation digital assets.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has emphasised the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, stating,
"AI is probably the most important thing humanity has ever worked on. I think of it as something more profound than electricity or fire."
The Cross-Over of AI and Web3
The rapid advancement of AI is also accelerating the decentralisation of computing power, aligning with Web3’s vision of a trustless and open internet. AI-powered smart contracts, autonomous agent economies, and AI-enhanced DeFi protocols are emerging as key drivers of the next phase of blockchain evolution, shifting control away from centralised platforms and towards blockchain-native ecosystems.
This trend is becoming even more pronounced as AI-generated data integrates with tokenised real-world assets (RWAs), predictive analytics in DeFi, and self-governing AI agents operating on decentralised networks. Companies that are scaling AI infrastructure today are positioning themselves at the forefront of this transition, ensuring they control the computing power behind next-generation blockchain applications.
Competition Heats Up With New AI Models
The AI race is becoming increasingly competitive on a global scale. The China based AI lab DeepSeek recently unveiled a new model that rivals Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT models, but at a fraction of the cost. This demonstrates that AI development is no longer exclusive to Silicon Valley, and that more cost-efficient alternatives could force established players to adapt their approach. However, there is an ongoing conversation built around any hidden potential costs there might be.
While this introduces new challengers, it also reinforces AI’s movement towards open-source and decentralised ecosystems. More efficient and accessible AI models could further Web3 adoption, enabling developers to build AI-powered decentralised applications (dApps), decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs), and trustless AI-driven decision-making systems.
AI’s Growing Influence on the Digital Economy
Despite uncertainties around short-term returns, leading tech firms remain firm in their commitment to AI as a transformative force. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, described AI as "as big as it comes", justifying the company’s aggressive expansion. Microsoft’s Satya Nadella echoed this sentiment, reinforcing that scaling AI infrastructure today will shape digital leadership for years to come.
As AI plays a greater role in automation, decentralised finance, and digital identity solutions, its connection to Web3 continues to strengthen. With more blockchain-native AI applications emerging, the vision of a decentralised AI-driven economy—where AI systems operate without reliance on centralised control—is becoming more tangible.
The AI boom is no longer just about machine learning or cloud computing. It is laying the groundwork for a fully automated, AI-enhanced Web3 ecosystem. With $300 billion accelerating this shift, the intersection of AI and blockchain may be closer than expected.
