Who pays for AI's $2.6 trillion build-out? Look to corporate budgets | Fortune

Corporate budgets are emerging as the central funding source for an estimated $2.6 trillion AI infrastructure build-out, according to Fortune's CFO Daily, as companies weigh capital spending against returns. The article frames the question of who ultimately pays for the massive data center, chip and energy investment wave, with CFOs positioned as the key decision-makers on allocating that spending. The scale of the build-out—$2.6 trillion—makes corporate capital expenditure plans the pivotal variable for the AI trade. Investors should watch forthcoming corporate budget guidance and capex disclosures from major technology and enterprise buyers for signals on how the spending will be financed.