AI spending seen as cost, not growth driver: Apollo analysis

Apollo analysis finds that AI spending is increasingly viewed as a cost rather than a growth driver, a shift that could prompt reduced investment and pressure valuations of AI-focused firms. The perception change matters because it threatens the funding momentum behind AI-related protocols and tokens, which have drawn capital on expectations of growth. Watch for whether AI-linked crypto projects and firms adjust spending plans or face valuation compression if the cost narrative persists.