The Bloomberg Tech segment highlights growing skepticism on Wall Street about the sustainability of AI stock valuations amid cautious market behavior, while emphasizing 2026 as a pivotal year for proving AI’s economic impact across industries. It also covers significant developments including Tether’s rejected bid for Juventus, entertainment industry tensions over AI adoption, and concerns over restrictive U.S. immigration policies potentially harming the tech sector’s global competitiveness.
The Bloomberg Tech segment opens with a focus on the tech market’s cautious tone as AI-related stocks face anxiety in the final full trading week of 2025. Despite the Nasdaq 100 showing gains, investors are pulling back from riskier assets, particularly in the crypto space, which has seen a decline. Notable movements include ServiceNow dropping over 10% amid talks to acquire a cybersecurity startup, Intel’s advanced negotiations to buy an AI chip startup for $1.6 billion, and Tesla hitting a record high, potentially its best since December 2024. The discussion highlights growing skepticism about AI valuations and the timing of returns on AI investments, with some Wall Street players betting on if and when the AI bubble might burst.
Economic expert Natalie Gallagher weighs in on AI’s impact, noting that while AI adoption is broad—with 55% of American workers using AI—this has yet to translate into measurable productivity gains. She emphasizes that 2026 will be a critical year for proving AI’s economic value, with earnings reports from sectors like healthcare and finance expected to reveal whether AI is driving margin improvements. Gallagher also discusses the broader economic implications of AI spending, which has acted as a stabilizer in 2025, and warns that a pullback in AI investment could have widespread effects beyond the tech industry, especially amid ongoing U.S.-China technology tensions.
In a surprising move, crypto company Tether made a $1.3 billion bid to acquire a controlling stake in Juventus, one of Italy’s most prestigious football clubs, a bid rejected by the Agnelli family who have owned the club for over a century. The story symbolizes a clash between new money and old money, with Tether’s founders being lifelong Juventus fans and having already acquired a 10% stake and a board seat. The Agnelli family remains committed to maintaining control despite financial pressures and portfolio reshaping, highlighting the complex intersection of sports, finance, and crypto.
The segment also covers the entertainment industry’s response to consolidation and AI. Netflix’s co-CEOs addressed employee concerns regarding their acquisition plans and the potential impact on Hollywood, including fears about AI’s role in content creation. The industry remains divided, with some embracing AI as the future of filmmaking while others resist its integration. Disney’s recent deal with OpenAI has sparked union concerns, reflecting broader tensions about AI’s disruptive potential in creative fields.
Finally, the discussion turns to immigration and its impact on the tech sector, focusing on the Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. A coalition of states is suing to block the fee, arguing it will exacerbate labor shortages in critical sectors like healthcare and education. Industry experts warn that restrictive immigration policies and fees could drive talent to other countries like China and Canada, which are actively attracting tech workers with more open visa policies. The segment underscores the delicate balance between immigration regulation and maintaining U.S. competitiveness in global innovation.