AI data center and hardware investment could drive $7.6 trillion in spending over five years, boosting productivity and infrastructure stocks.
Goldman Sachs projects $7.6 trillion in spending on AI data centers, computing hardware, and electricity from 2026 to 2031. The estimate reflects AI-driven productivity gains, with labor efficiency potentially rising 1.8% annually—double the post-2019 growth rate.
The build-out follows surging demand for AI infrastructure, as companies like Anthropic highlight AI’s ability to cut task completion time by 80%. Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD), a key player in AI data center construction, stands to benefit from this trend.
AI stocks have retreated recently, but the long-term outlook remains tied to infrastructure expansion and productivity improvements.