Five US tech giants accumulated $1.65 trillion in hidden debt due to opaque AI financing

The Japanese publication Nikkei Asian Review reported that five major US technology companies — Alphabet (Google's parent company), Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Oracle — have increased their hidden debts related to opaque artificial intelligence financing eightfold over the past four years. According to data from the latest quarter, this figure reached 1.65 trillion dollars, significantly exceeding the liabilities reflected in their balance sheets, which amount to about 1.35 trillion dollars. In its report, Nikkei Asian Review cited financial statements from these companies and other sources. It specifically noted that Alphabet (Google) had future spending commitments signed before the end of June totaling 811 billion dollars, with this amount growing by nearly 500 billion dollars in the last three months alone. These commitments are disclosed separately from capital expenditure budgets and represent obligations under signed supply contracts and unpaid orders. Of the total, approximately 200.7 billion dollars are classified as short-term liabilities.