Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way companies work. It is said that AI is not the future of companies, but the present that determines who will reach the future. For this reason, PwC has launched ‘The AI Sensor’, a biweekly compilation of the main trends, projects and initiatives reflected in the media, with the aim of helping companies navigate this open and constantly changing field. We start from the idea that artificial intelligence does not replace companies, but rather drives them to reinvent themselves. We are facing the greatest business transformation of our era, and our goal is to help understand what is happening so that informed decisions can be made.
In this edition of The AI Sensor, we cover the major bet by artificial intelligence giants to raise around $400 billion in the coming weeks. Geopolitical uncertainty and the economic problems in the United States—the home country of the protagonists—linked to the war against Iran have not slowed them down. Alphabet is preparing a $80 billion share placement, while SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI are preparing their IPOs almost simultaneously. If successful, they could boost markets and the economy, but if fears of a tech bubble return, a chain reaction of rejection could destroy significant value. The race is on.
The tech frenzy: Alphabet, OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX compete for funding amid global disorder
Major tech companies are entering a phase of hyper-capitalisation, where even firms with enormous balance sheets must resort to more debt, issuance or financial partners to sustain the AI race. The relentless spending of big tech on artificial intelligence is not slowing down, and amid liquidity shortages, the need for external financing remains strong, according to Barron’s.
Although exact figures are not yet known, Alphabet is expected to raise $80 billion in the coming weeks, Anthropic around $100 billion through its IPO, OpenAI another $100 billion (or possibly more), and SpaceX a similar amount in its planned market debut on June 12. These ambitious corporate operations—the largest in history across multiple categories—aim to secure new resources to finance growth.
However, the United States, home to all these companies, has been at war with Iran for more than three months, pushing up oil prices and inflation. Estimates cited by Reuters suggest around 400,000 US troops have been deployed in the Gulf region and operations area, with spending reaching approximately $29 billion by early May. Meanwhile, rising household energy costs in the US are estimated at $100 billion, according to Business Insider.
This inflationary pressure and the potential rise in interest rates to 4.5% have not deterred investors. The unstoppable rise of the AI revolution has triggered a financial battle among major players to attract capital. Alphabet, SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI have launched a race for funding on an unprecedented scale.
Alphabet has announced an $80 billion share placement (around €68.7 billion) to finance its AI investment. It is the largest secondary market share sale in history. At the same time, Google and YouTube’s parent company has agreed to sell $10 billion in shares to Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett’s holding company, through a private placement, according to Cinco Días. This follows a $26 billion investment made in 2025.
The company led by Sundar Pichai has raised more than $85 billion in debt and generated over $174 billion in operating cash flow. It is seeking to fund the largest investment effort in its history, with capital expenditure projected at $180–190 billion this year, and even higher expectations for 2027. Alphabet has recently become the second-largest company in the world by market capitalisation, behind Apple, which is valued at $4.63 trillion.
Another major player is Anthropic, which has filed for an IPO. The company led by Dario Amodei has moved ahead of rival OpenAI, which is also preparing its listing. Anthropic recently closed a $65 billion funding round—the largest in the company’s history—reaching a valuation of $965 billion, close to the trillion-dollar mark.
If the schedule holds, Anthropic will go public after SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space and AI company, which aims to list on Nasdaq on June 12. The market is discussing a fundraising range of $75–80 billion and a valuation of $1.8–2 trillion, potentially making it the largest IPO in history, ahead of Saudi Aramco’s 2019 listing.
OpenAI is also part of this race, with investors awaiting its IPO filing. In March it closed a funding round of more than $122 billion—the largest ever—valuing the company at $852 billion. Sam Altman’s company, along with the others, will soon discover whether markets are willing to continue betting on them or whether geopolitical uncertainty will take its toll.
Anthropic expands access to its Mythos model to 15 countries, including Spain
A few weeks ago, it was reported that Anthropic planned to restrict access to its powerful AI model Mythos to a small group of companies in the US and UK, due to concerns that it could pose cybersecurity risks if misused. This decision sparked widespread criticism from governments, including the European Union and several non-Anglophone countries.
In response, Anthropic has revised its approach and expanded its Glasswing initiative—designed to patch cybersecurity vulnerabilities using AI. According to sources cited by the Financial Times, the expansion now covers organisations in 15 countries, including Spain.
The company is providing early access to Mythos (not for sale) to 150 organisations across countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, India, Japan and South Korea. NATO and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) are also included.
This early access allows organisations to test vulnerabilities before the model becomes widely available. The participating entities include sectors such as energy, water, healthcare, communications and hardware.
The Vatican enters the AI debate
The encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, signed by Pope Leo XIV, has reshaped the complex world of artificial intelligence. Focused on AI as the core of a new technological revolution with social, political and moral impact, the document states that AI is not neutral and must be “disarmed” in the sense of being freed from uses that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion or violence.
The Pope frames AI as part of a new industrial revolution comparable to that of the late 19th century, insisting that technology must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good, rather than efficiency or power.
The text strongly criticises the “technocratic paradigm”, where decisions are driven solely by efficiency and data accumulation logic. It warns about the concentration of power in technological actors, rising inequality and the erosion of human moral autonomy in the face of algorithmic systems. It proposes a global ethical framework, governance oriented toward justice, and a reaffirmation of human judgement as the core of freedom.
Many academics have praised the document as a strong update of Catholic social teaching in the digital era. Some tech leaders have welcomed the call for ethical oversight. Cultural analysts have highlighted its moral language as a meaningful contribution to the global AI debate.
However, parts of the secular academic and tech community criticise the “moralisation” of technology by a religious institution, warning against non-democratic frameworks in AI regulation. Others question the feasibility of the concept of “disarmament” in already complex economic and defence systems.
Using artificial intelligence without permission at work may lead to labour issues
More and more employees are using artificial intelligence tools at work without authorisation—to copy contracts, prepare reports or draft documents. Labour experts warn that this “shadow AI” practice can lead to disciplinary action or even dismissal, according to El País.
Nearly 70% of employees use these tools in their daily work, according to a study by VML The Cocktail and Salesforce, and at least 61% do so without company approval.
Sanctions depend on internal company policies, frequency of use, job role and the impact on the company. The main risk arises when confidential client data is exposed without proper safeguards. Penalties can range from written warnings to suspension or dismissal.
Employees may also be accused of performance decline or even claiming AI-generated work as their own. However, companies must prove misconduct, and they cannot violate fundamental rights when monitoring employees.
Digital hotels without reception desks and managed from a central control room
AI is rapidly spreading across industries, including tourism. One recent example is Spanish hotel group Gaiarooms, which is using AI and automation to operate properties with minimal staff.
At the Hotel Matilde lobby, there is no receptionist. Guests receive a digital key before arrival, documents are signed electronically, and any issues are handled remotely from a central control room.
Thanks to this model, Gaiarooms has turned small hotels in historic city centres into profitable businesses. The company now manages around 150 properties in Spain and Portugal, with nearly 1,900 rooms in its portfolio. In 2025, revenue reached €18.5 million, up 45% year-on-year, with plans to expand further.
Operations are managed via sensors, cameras and a central control platform that monitors temperature, door locks, water systems and other variables. Guests can communicate with staff, request services, or manage check-out via mobile.
Employees in cleaning and maintenance remain essential, while reception staff have shifted to digital roles, allowing them to support multiple hotels more efficiently
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