September 30, 2025

analysis  
Microsoft, Google Invest $300B in AI, Amazon Focuses on E-commerce

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with major tech players like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon collectively investing over $300 billion in 2025 to advance AI capabilities, driven by a competitive race and concerns about potential uncontrollable outcomes. This surge in investment is fueling innovation across various sectors. In e-commerce, companies like MageMontreal are leveraging AI to generate high-quality product visuals at scale, reducing costs and enhancing online presence. Walmart's CEO, Doug McMillon, anticipates AI will transform every job within the company's 2.1 million-strong workforce, leading to shifts in roles but aiming to maintain overall employee numbers through adaptation and training, emphasizing that human interaction remains crucial. Beyond retail, AI is making significant inroads in healthcare, with tools like TIPS increasing cancer testing rates by identifying eligible patients for next-generation sequencing. In finance, AI is demonstrating its ability to deliver consistent returns at lower costs, outperforming human managers for over two decades, though in-house control is advised for competitive advantage. Furthermore, initiatives like the one by the International Telecommunication Union, Google, and will.i.am are providing AI and robotics training to young people in Africa, with Google.org contributing $1 million to equip youth for an estimated 230 million jobs by 2030. Meanwhile, discussions around generative AI's impact on education are underway, encouraging educators and students to consider its ethical implications and integration into learning. Comparisons to past tech bubbles are being challenged, with arguments that current AI valuations are supported by strong revenue growth, unlike the dot-com era. Even in cybersecurity, AI is being explored as a tool to accelerate the creation of vulnerability checks, assisting engineers in identifying security risks.

Key Takeaways

  • Major tech companies including Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon are investing over $300 billion in 2025 to develop artificial superintelligence.
  • Walmart CEO Doug McMillon expects AI to change every job within the company's 2.1 million workforce, with a focus on employee adaptation and maintaining stable workforce size.
  • MageMontreal is using AI to create diverse, on-brand product images for e-commerce, reducing costs and improving online presentation.
  • An AI tool called TIPS is increasing cancer testing rates by identifying patients eligible for next-generation sequencing who have not yet received it.
  • Miró Mitev of Smarth Wealth Asset Management states their AI has outperformed human managers for over two decades, offering lower costs and higher returns in investment management.
  • The International Telecommunication Union, Google, and will.i.am have launched a program offering AI and robotics training to African youth, with Google.org providing $1 million.
  • This African initiative aims to prepare young people for an estimated 230 million jobs expected in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
  • Discussions are occurring regarding the impact of generative AI on education, emphasizing ethical considerations and student formation.
  • Current AI investment valuations are argued to be distinct from the dot-com bubble due to strong revenue growth in AI companies.
  • AI is being used to assist security teams in generating vulnerability checks more quickly, improving efficiency in vulnerability management.

Walmart CEO warns AI will change every job

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated that artificial intelligence will change every job, impacting the company's workforce of 2.1 million people. While some jobs may be eliminated, new roles like AI agent builders are emerging. Walmart aims to help employees adapt through training and by focusing on human interaction for customer service. The company is exploring AI for supply chain and data analysis, with a goal to keep its workforce size stable over the next three years.

Walmart CEO: AI will transform jobs

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon believes artificial intelligence will affect every job, leading to significant shifts in the company's workforce of 2.1 million. While the total number of employees is expected to remain steady over the next three years, the types of jobs will change. Some roles will be automated, while new positions like AI tool developers will be created. Walmart is closely monitoring job categories to help employees transition and emphasizes that human interaction will remain key in customer service.

Walmart CEO: AI will change every job

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated that artificial intelligence will change every job, urging workers to adapt and learn new skills. He believes AI will impact both white-collar and in-store positions, with chatbots and automation handling more tasks. McMillon encourages employees to embrace new tools to improve efficiency and productivity. He also stressed the continued importance of human soft skills like communication and critical thinking, especially in customer-facing roles, ensuring people remain central to Walmart's operations.

MageMontreal uses AI for e-commerce visuals

MageMontreal, founded by Guillaume Le Tual, is using AI to revolutionize e-commerce by creating high-quality product images. This technology allows brands to generate diverse, on-brand visuals at scale, reducing the costs and time associated with traditional photoshoots. Retailers can showcase products in various settings and campaigns without logistical challenges. AI imagery helps brands enhance their online presence, improve customer experience, and remain competitive, especially for smaller businesses. MageMontreal also offers other e-commerce solutions.

Tech giants invest $300B in AI race

Major tech companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon are investing over $300 billion in 2025 to develop artificial superintelligence, fearing they will fall behind in an existential competition. While these investments drive advancements in AI, experts warn of potential uncontrollable outcomes and safety risks. Companies are focusing on AI infrastructure and machine learning, but critics highlight the dangers of AI systems acting autonomously and potentially misaligning with human welfare. Regulators are struggling to keep pace with the rapid development and international competition.

AI investing offers lower costs and higher returns

Miró Mitev, CEO of Smarth Wealth Asset Management, believes AI is revolutionizing investment management by delivering attractive returns at lower costs. He emphasizes that their AI has consistently outperformed human managers for over two decades. Mitev advises against relying on third-party AI tools, stressing the importance of in-house control for competitive advantage and risk management. He sees AI enhancing both passive and active investment strategies, making the market more efficient and accessible.

AI helps improve cancer testing rates

Dr. Brian P. Mulherin discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) can help overcome barriers to next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing in oncology. Despite guidelines recommending NGS for advanced cancers, testing rates remain low, particularly in areas like breast cancer. Mulherin highlighted that insurance is rarely a true barrier, but administrative delays persist. An AI tool called TIPS analyzes patient data to identify those who should receive NGS but haven't, sending alerts to physicians. This system has significantly increased NGS testing rates within the American Oncology Network.

AI and robotics training for African youth launched

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Google, and will.i.am have launched a program to provide AI and robotics training to young people in Africa. This initiative aims to equip youth, especially in underserved communities and girls, with digital skills for the estimated 230 million jobs expected in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. The program will utilize internet-connected schools to offer AI courses and robotics challenges. Google.org is providing $1 million and technical expertise to support the rollout in five African countries, with plans for future expansion.

Conversation on generative AI at Marquette University

Marquette University's Center for Teaching and Learning will host a discussion on generative artificial intelligence on Thursday, October 9th. Dr. Abram Capone will lead the conversation, encouraging educators to discuss AI policies with students and explore its impact on education and careers. The event will also focus on how Jesuit educational values can guide students in reflecting on the role of AI and personal formation, promoting deep thinking about technology's meaning and use.

AI valuations differ from dot-com bubble

Bessemer Venture Partners partner Byron Deeter argues that current AI investment valuations are not comparable to the dot-com bubble due to strong revenue growth. Unlike companies in the 1990s that had little revenue, today's AI companies are showing significant sales figures early on. Deeter believes this fundamental business strength supports current AI valuations, making the comparison inaccurate. The robust growth in enterprise software, heavily influenced by AI, further supports this view.

AI can help write security checks

A security team experimented with using AI, specifically an agentic approach, to create vulnerability checks faster without sacrificing quality. While initial attempts with basic chatbots were unsuccessful, an agent that could use tools and reference materials produced more promising results. The AI now assists engineers by generating templates for tasks like detecting exposed admin panels and unsecured Elasticsearch instances. Although human oversight remains essential for validation and refinement, AI is proving to be a valuable productivity tool for improving vulnerability management.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence Walmart Workforce Transformation Job Automation Emerging Roles Employee Training Customer Service Supply Chain Data Analysis E-commerce Visual Content Product Images Tech Investment Artificial Superintelligence Machine Learning AI Safety Investment Management Financial Returns Oncology Cancer Testing Next-Generation Sequencing Healthcare Technology Robotics Training Digital Skills African Youth Generative AI Education Jesuit Values Venture Capital Valuations Revenue Growth Enterprise Software Cybersecurity Vulnerability Management