The other side of the AI boom
11 stories · 9–11
Demand shiftCompany stated
OpenAI
After midterm voters opposed data center expansion, OpenAI announced new commitments to communities where it is building data centers. The company said it won't use non-disclosure agreements with public officials, a practice that had drawn scrutiny.
Demand shiftAdaptation
Airbnb
Airbnb said it will launch an AI agent in the first half of 2027 to help travelers plan trips, compare options, and manage bookings. The company described the agent as a step beyond today's simple, routine AI tasks.
Demand shift
Chegg
Chegg said in October 2025 that it was eliminating 45% of its workforce while facing what it called the new realities of AI, along with less traffic from Google. The reporting describes a drop in demand for the product.