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Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) and Apple Inc. (AAPL) are expanding their consumer app marketplaces with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). A recent Menlo Ventures report indicates that 61% of U.S. adults have used AI in the last six months, with 19% using it daily. However, monetization remains weak, with only 3% paying for premium AI services out of an estimated user base of 1.8 billion.
According to a Cognizant report, AI-driven consumer spending in the U.S. is projected to reach $4.4 trillion by 2030, particularly among the 18-44 age group. Meanwhile, Alphabet’s YouTube and Google One helped boost subscriptions to over 270 million in Q1 2025, and its AI Overview feature currently has 1.5 billion monthly users across 140 countries.
In contrast, Apple is seeing better iPhone 16 sales in areas where Apple Intelligence has been integrated. While Alphabet’s earnings estimate for 2025 is projected at $9.56 per share, AAPL’s estimate has declined to $7.10 per share, suggesting a year-on-year increase of 18.91% and 5.19% respectively. Year-to-date, GOOGL shares have seen a decline of 3.3%, outperforming AAPL’s 16% loss.
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