Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed from a futuristic dream into a booming global industry. Trillion-dollar valuations, skyrocketing chip demand, and rapidly expanding data centers have convinced many that AI will change the world. And in many ways, it will. But beneath the excitement, the rapid pace of investment and financial engineering has raised an important question: Are we living through an AI Bubble?

Just like the dot-com era of 1999 or the US housing bubble of 2008, an “AI Bubble” refers to a dramatic rise in valuations, investments, and expectations-far beyond what real-world fundamentals justify. When these expectations eventually confront reality, the bubble risks bursting.

This article explains what an AI bubble is, how it forms, why it matters, and how investors and industries should view it.

1. Understanding the Core Idea of a Bubble

A “bubble” is an economic condition where asset prices rise sharply because of hype, momentum, and optimism-rather than actual performance and revenue.

In the context of AI:

• Companies are investing heavily in computing power and data centers.
• Investors are pouring money into AI startups at record valuations.
• Tech giants are spending tens of billions on chips, servers, and software.
• Everyone assumes that AI will soon generate massive profits.

A bubble forms when expectations grow much faster than actual, sustainable earnings.

In other words:
A bubble is created when we assume infinite growth based on finite evidence.

2. Why AI Is Attracting Trillions of Dollars

Before calling it a bubble, we must understand why this technology attracts so much money.

AI promises:

• Faster automation
• Better productivity
• New business models
• Breakthroughs in medicine, education, finance, robotics, and more
• Massive time and cost savings for enterprises

Global companies do not want to miss out on a technological shift that could determine the next generation of winners in the economy.

There’s nothing wrong with this. Innovation requires investment.

The issue begins when these investments turn speculative, detached from realistic outcomes.

3. What Creates an AI Bubble?

a. Exponential Investment vs. Slow Monetization

AI models (LLMs, diffusion models, robotics brains) need:

• Immense GPU power
• Large data centers
• Cheap electricity
• High-bandwidth networking
• Engineering teams
• Safety teams
• Product teams

Yet, despite billions spent, AI revenue is still small. Except for a few giants like Google and Microsoft, most companies haven’t found a profitable business model.

If expenses rise faster than revenue, valuations can become artificially inflated.

b. Circular Financing

In a healthy economy, money flows like this:

Investor → Company → Revenue → Profit

But in bubbles, the flow becomes circular:

Investor → Company A → Company B → Company A

Example pattern:
Company A invests in Company B → Company B uses the funds to buy Company A’s products → Company A’s revenue goes up → valuation goes up → investors put more money.

It creates an illusion of demand-when in reality, the cash keeps cycling inside the same loop.

c. Hidden Debt and Financial Engineering

Some companies don’t want to show massive AI-related debt on their balance sheets. So they create:

• SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles)
• Leasing structures
• Off-balance-sheet borrowing
• Vendor financing arrangements

This makes their main company appear financially healthy, even when huge risks are quietly accumulating elsewhere.

This is similar to the 2008 housing bubble, where mortgage risks were hidden inside complex derivatives.

d. GPU and Data Center Mania

An AI model isn’t just software-it lives inside expensive data centers packed with GPUs. The cost of building these facilities has exploded.

But here is the issue:

• GPUs depreciate quickly
• New generations release faster than before
• The hardware becomes obsolete
• Data center rental rates fluctuate
• Electricity and cooling costs rise
• AI demand is not guaranteed

If the business model does not justify massive capex, the investment becomes risky.

4. Fake Demand and Overreaction to Geopolitics

AI chips also became expensive because geopolitics created artificial scarcity. Restrictions on selling high-end chips to countries like China created a “shortage premium.” Companies started hoarding chips, not because they needed them immediately, but out of fear of missing out.

This artificial demand can collapse quickly once supply stabilizes.

5. AI Hype Across Non-Tech Industries

In the dot-com era, every company rushed to add “.com” to their name.

Today, something similar is happening:

• AI toothbrush
• AI washing machine
• AI refrigerator
• AI hair dryer
• AI fan
• AI cooker
• AI helmet
• AI vacuum cleaner

Most of these “AI-enabled” products do not provide any meaningful intelligence. But companies do this to attract investor money and media attention.

When hype becomes a strategy, a bubble is already forming.

6. Historical Parallels: How Bubbles Usually Work

Dot-Com Bubble (2000):

• Companies grew without revenue
• IPOs doubled on listing day
• “Internet will change everything”
• But most firms had no profits
• Bubble burst when investors demanded real cashflows

Housing Bubble (2008):

• Excessive borrowing
• Hidden risks
• Overconfidence that prices will always rise
• Collapse triggered a global recession

AI Bubble Today:

• Massive capex
• Hidden debt
• Unrealistic expectations
• Companies using AI tag for hype
• Concern that revenue may not catch up soon

7. Is AI Itself a Bubble? Absolutely Not.

Artificial intelligence is real. It is transformative, and it’s here to stay.

But the financial ecosystem around AI may be inflated.

The internet survived the 2000 crash.
Housing still exists after 2008.
But the companies built on unrealistic promises disappeared.

Similarly, AI will remain essential for the next 50+ years-but many AI businesses may not survive the financial correction.

8. When Can an AI Bubble Burst?

Predicting exact timing is impossible.
But bubbles usually burst when:

• interest rates rise
• profitability lags
• capital becomes expensive
• debt accumulates
• growth expectations fail
• competitive pressure increases
• investors look for safer opportunities

If companies cannot turn today’s multi-billion-dollar investments into sustainable revenues, correction becomes inevitable.

9. What Happens If the AI Bubble Bursts?

Short-term impact:

• Stock market correction
• Valuations of AI startups collapse
• GPU and data center prices drop
• Over-leveraged firms face bankruptcy
• Investors lose money on speculative bets
• Hiring slows across tech sectors

Long-term positive impact:

• Weak, overhyped companies disappear
• Strong products survive
• Innovation becomes more disciplined
• Infrastructure becomes cheaper
• AI becomes more accessible
• Industry stabilizes
• Real business models mature

Bubbles clean the ecosystem and leave behind only what truly works.

10. Will AI Still Grow After a Bubble? Yes-Even Faster.

A bubble does not destroy technology. It only destroys bad investments.

After the dot-com crash, the internet entered its golden period.
>After the crypto crashes, blockchain matured and became more regulated.
>After solar energy crashes, renewable companies finally became profitable.

AI will follow the same pattern:

Temporary hype → Bubble → Correction → Sustainable long-term growth

Final Thoughts

An AI Bubble forms when optimism outpaces logic, financial engineering hides risk, and everyone assumes growth will continue forever. But AI itself is not the bubble. The bubble is the money, debt, valuation, and expectation built around the technology.

AI will change the world. But the journey may include a financial reset-one that separates hype from real innovation.

True revolutions don’t collapse after a bubble.
They only get stronger.

On November 2, 2023, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta addressed a large gathering in Mohali during the closing ceremony of the 5th Edition of the Shiksha Mahakumbh Abhiyan 2025 at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER). The event brought together teachers, researchers, and students from across India to discuss how education can shape the nation’s future. The theme, “From Classroom to Society – Building a Healthier World through Education,” perfectly matched the idea that Ladakh is becoming a knowledge hub of the Himalayas.

During his speech, Gupta spoke about India’s proud tradition of learning and self-reliance. He said, “Our rulers may have been enslaved, but the soul of Bharat never accepted subjugation.” His words reminded the audience that knowledge has always been India’s strength, even during difficult times.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in advancing education through the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Gupta emphasized that India’s education system is now moving beyond textbooks. “Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India’s education system has evolved to include technology, skills, and values,” he said. According to him, this approach creates responsible citizens who can serve the country’s development.

Gupta also acknowledged Vidya Bharati’s role in promoting discipline, cultural awareness, and national pride among students. “Education must not only enlighten the mind but also awaken the moral conscience of the nation,” he said. He encouraged teachers to help students connect classroom lessons to real-life community goals.

He discussed how education has strengthened social unity in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. “There was a time when misguided voices tried to divide people, but now education has united them,” Gupta said. He added that learning has replaced fear with hope and inspired youth to aim higher.

Speaking about Ladakh’s achievements, Gupta highlighted that the region has made remarkable progress in literacy. “Inspired by Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Ladakh has made education the center of its growth model,” he said. The Union Territory is now a Fully Functionally Literate Region under the ULLAS (New India Literacy Programme) with a literacy rate of 97%, far above the national average.

The establishment of the University of Ladakh has been a game-changer. It has become a center for innovation and cross-cultural learning. Additionally, more than 150 Smart Classrooms and 171 ICT Labs have been set up to improve digital education in schools. The construction of 36 PM SHRI Schools will soon add modern facilities to further raise educational standards.

Before the closing ceremony, Prof. (Dr.) Thakur S.K.R, Director of DHE, presented a detailed report summarizing discussions and future plans for the Shiksha Mahakumbh. Many teachers and students were honored for their excellence in education. Dilaram Chauhan, General Secretary of Vidya Bharati (North Zone), delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of collaboration between schools and society.

Bal Kishan, Joint Organising Secretary of Vidya Bharati, North Zone, described the event as “a living example of cooperation between schools, universities, and communities.” This partnership shows how unity in education can lead to national progress.

The activities and ideas shared during the Shiksha Mahakumbh show a firm commitment to transforming education in the Himalayan region. They highlight how a focus on learning can build a peaceful, inclusive, and strong society.

With steady development and visionary leadership, Ladakh is becoming a knowledge hub of the Himalayas. The region’s success reflects India’s growing emphasis on education, innovation, and values that will guide the next generation toward a brighter future.

Education

In a proud moment for the education sector, 35 students pass NDA exam from Shemrock Senior Secondary School, Sector 69, Mohali. This achievement marks an important milestone for students dreaming of joining the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA (National Defence Academy) exam is a crucial step for those who want to serve as officers in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and success here opens doors to a prestigious military career.

During a special felicitation ceremony, Director Maj Gen H Chauhan (VSM) shared exciting details about the school’s consistent record. Since 2013, Shemrock has guided 270 cadets to join the NDA and other military or naval academies. Out of them, 141 have already completed their training and are now serving as commissioned officers, which reflects the institution’s dedication and quality of training.

The recent batch achieved impressive results in the written exam. A total of 57 students appeared, and 47 passed, resulting in a remarkable 82.5% success rate. This figure is far above the national average and shows the school’s strong focus on exam preparation, discipline, and mentoring. The 35 students who cleared the main stage now move closer to their dream of wearing the uniform.

Chairman AS Bajwa praised the students’ determination and teamwork. He emphasized that such achievements require not just academic preparation but also resilience, leadership, and commitment. According to him, the result is proof of Shemrock’s long-term vision to shape young leaders for the armed forces.

Now, these successful candidates will prepare for the next major step: the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. This stage is highly competitive and tests physical strength, mental toughness, and leadership qualities. Success here will officially make them officers in training, bringing them one step closer to serving the nation.

The NDA is not only a career opportunity but also a transformative journey. Cadets undergo rigorous training in leadership, discipline, and teamwork. These qualities prepare them not just for military life but also to contribute positively to society. Many officers from the NDA go on to hold senior positions in defense and national security.

For students across Punjab and India, this success story is deeply inspiring. It shows that with the right guidance, discipline, and hard work, even challenging goals can be achieved. The story also highlights the growing importance of specialized schools that prepare students for competitive national-level exams.

The Shemrock School community celebrated the achievement with pride. Teachers, parents, and alumni expressed confidence that these students will excel in the next stages and make the country proud. Their journey also sets a benchmark for future aspirants who want to follow a similar path.

In conclusion, the fact that 35 students pass NDA exam this year is not just a school-level success, it is a significant contribution to the nation’s future defense leadership. With continued training, mentorship, and determination, these young cadets are on track to become the next generation of Indian Armed Forces officers.

Education