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AI Surge Boosts US Spending, Spurs Price Hikes, Grid Strain

7/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

AI demand has pushed U.S. household spending $375 higher than a year ago, says economist Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics.
Zandi said this year’s $750 billion AI investment adds 0.2 percentage points to inflation.
PJM Interconnection says data-center construction is growing faster than electricity generation, straining the grid.
Apple and Microsoft raised prices because AI-driven component shortages increased costs, with Apple up 20% and Microsoft’s Xbox and Office 365 up 25% and 43%.

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Story summary

AI demand has pushed U.S. household spending $375 higher than a year ago, says economist Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics.
Zandi said this year’s $750 billion AI investment adds 0.2 percentage points to inflation.
PJM Interconnection says data-center construction is growing faster than electricity generation, straining the grid.
Apple and Microsoft raised prices because AI-driven component shortages increased costs, with Apple up 20% and Microsoft’s Xbox and Office 365 up 25% and 43%.