The Journal.The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios
August 7, 2026 – AI is generating enormous amounts of revenue—but Zach Abraham and Chase Taylor argue investors may be confusing the money being made building AI with the money ultimately generated using it. They revisit the AI bull case, the extraordinary capital spending behind the buildout, and why the companies selling the picks and shovels may be telling a very different story from the businesses expected to eventually justify the investment. They also break down the latest jobs report, inflation risks, oil-market tightness, developments around Iran, and what the market may be overlooking heading into the second half of the year.