Report says AI sector needs $6 trillion a year to break even by 2031

According to the consulting firm's calculations, the AI sector needs $6 trillion in annual revenue by 2031 to finance the growing need for computing capacity.

“At the same time, Bain estimates that today's consumer and business AI applications can only generate $1.2 trillion to $1.8 trillion. This leaves a gap of about $4.2 trillion that needs to be filled by new revenue streams and innovations,” the company writes.

Bain believes that four new areas can close the gap: AI models that replace search engines, autonomous vehicles, physical AI, and new products and applications.