For the past fifteen years, the market has been buoyed by the relentless ascent of technology stocks. It is a pattern many assume will continue, and perhaps it will. But such optimism deserves scrutiny. Two companies, Alphabet and Meta, currently dominate the landscape. Their strength, however, is not a guarantee of future prosperity. It is merely a statement of present power, and power, as history teaches, is a transient thing.
Alphabet: The All-Seeing Eye
Alphabet, formerly Google, possesses a comprehensive artificial intelligence infrastructure, a fact rarely understated by its proponents. They have developed ‘Gemini’, a large language model, and integrated it into their products – most notably, their search engine. The intention, predictably, is to improve the service and, more importantly, to increase revenue. The logic is simple enough: a more engaging search engine yields more opportunities for advertising.
The merging of search and AI chatbots is presented as innovation. In reality, it is a consolidation of control. Alphabet, through its ownership of Android and Chrome, and its revenue-sharing agreement with Apple, enjoys an unparalleled distribution network. This dominance allows them to dictate terms, to shape the flow of information. It is a position that invites, and deserves, careful consideration.
The company’s development of custom AI chips, the Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), is touted as a cost advantage. This is a matter of simple economics: controlling the production of essential components reduces reliance on external suppliers. Morgan Stanley estimates substantial revenue generation from these chips, predicting increasing deployment by customers. Such projections, however, are based on assumptions, and assumptions, as any rational observer knows, are prone to error.
Alphabet’s cloud computing division, Google Cloud, is experiencing growth, fueled by increased operating leverage. The pending acquisition of Wiz, a cloud security company, is presented as a further boost. But growth, in and of itself, is not necessarily virtuous. It merely indicates expansion, and expansion, without corresponding ethical considerations, can be a dangerous thing. YouTube and Waymo, the robotaxi business, are also cited as growth drivers. They are, in essence, gambles – investments in unproven technologies with uncertain returns.
Meta Platforms: The Illusion of Connection
Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, controls Instagram and Facebook, two of the largest digital advertising platforms in the world. Their success lies not in innovation, but in monetization – the ability to extract value from a vast user base. Artificial intelligence, they claim, has enhanced this ability. The underlying principle is straightforward: algorithms identify user preferences, serving them content designed to maximize engagement, and therefore, advertising revenue.
The claim that Meta’s platforms are now primarily about entertainment, rather than connecting with friends and family, is a tacit admission of a fundamental shift in purpose. The focus on entertainment is not driven by altruism, but by the pursuit of profit. The algorithms are designed to keep users glued to their screens, increasing exposure to advertising. It is a subtle, yet insidious, form of control.
Meta is also employing AI to improve advertising campaigns, targeting users more effectively. This, in turn, leads to higher ad prices. The recent surge in revenue, driven by increased ad impressions and prices, is presented as a validation of this strategy. But it is a zero-sum game: the gains of Meta come at the expense of user privacy and autonomy.
WhatsApp and Threads are presented as future growth opportunities. WhatsApp, with its billions of users, is beginning to serve ads. Threads, a new platform, is also being positioned for monetization. The potential for profit is undeniable, but it comes with a cost: the further erosion of personal space and the increasing commodification of human connection.
Investors have expressed concern about Meta’s spending on the metaverse, a virtual reality project with uncertain prospects. The company has reportedly pledged to cut spending and focus on AI, where it is seeing more immediate returns. This is a pragmatic decision, but it does not address the underlying ethical concerns. The stock, currently trading at a relatively low price-to-earnings ratio, may appear attractive, but it is essential to remember that price is not always an indicator of value.
The gathering storm, as it were, is not merely financial. It is a reflection of a broader societal trend: the increasing concentration of power in the hands of a few technology companies, and the corresponding erosion of individual freedom. It is a situation that demands careful scrutiny, and a healthy dose of skepticism.
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2026-01-15 16:32