The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Jan. 28, edition that Microsoft and Meta will start Big Tech earnings this week, facing pressure to show that their investments in artificial intelligence can sustain strong growth, while a resurgent Alphabet takes the lead in the race. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that companies, including Amazon, are set to increase AI spending by 30 per cent to over $500-billion (U.S.) this year. Doubts are growing over whether Microsoft has wasted its early lead in AI from its OpenAI investment, while Meta faces pressure to demonstrate returns from its costly superintelligence efforts. Both stocks fell over 6 per cent in the last three months of 2025, while Amazon gained 5.1 per cent after its November deal with OpenAI, showing it was no longer an AI laggard. Alphabet shares rose about 29 per cent after the positive response to Google's Gemini 3 model and a deal to power Apple's updated Siri. Aptus Capital Advisors' David Wagner says: "Alphabet has the upper hand in the AI race as investors recognize that proprietary ecosystems, such as Apple and Search in Google, are tough to penetrate. Like in the Internet boom, the first-mover advantage doesn't always win the marathon."