Uber chief warns no link yet between AI tokenmaxxing and shipping successful products — company pumps the brakes on all-out AI spending
Uber's Chief Technology Officer has cautioned against excessive AI spending, noting that the company has already depleted its entire 2026 budget for AI services by April. While Uber continues to work with major AI model providers, there is currently no clear correlation between increased AI token usage and the successful delivery of consumer-facing products. This perspective suggests a potential shift in strategy, moving away from 'AI tokenmaxxing' towards a more measured approach that prioritizes demonstrable productivity gains and AI-driven product innovation. AI
IMPACT Suggests a potential industry-wide re-evaluation of AI investment ROI, prioritizing demonstrable product value over sheer token usage.