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AI capex is so big that it's affecting economic statistics

(paulkedrosky.com)
358 points throw0101c | 2 comments | 18 Jul 25 19:59 UTC | HN request time: 0.415s | source
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jonas21 ◴[18 Jul 25 21:09 UTC] No.44609857[source]▶
I don't know... 1.2% of GDP just doesn't seem that extreme to me. Certainly nowhere near "eating the economy" level compared to other transformative technologies or programs like:

- Apollo program: 4%

- Railroads: 6% (mentioned by the author)

- Covid stimulus: 27%

- WW2 defense: 40%

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zachlatta ◴[18 Jul 25 21:14 UTC] No.44609903[source]▶
We are only 2 years in! 1.2% of GDP is enormous! The fact that we can even make any of these comparisons is stunning.
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dude250711 ◴[18 Jul 25 22:41 UTC] No.44610587[source]▶
It's hard for me to tell what is a bigger misspending of money - LLMs or Apollo... At least I have a direct access to LLMs. Not sure I would need a direct access to moon rocks though.
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1. azan_ ◴[19 Jul 25 09:04 UTC] No.44613807[source]▶
And what would you rather spend money on?
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2. oblio ◴[19 Jul 25 09:12 UTC] No.44613842[source]▶
Probably housing.