it's because all these major service providers are desperately attempting to inject AI into their operations without a goal in mind. they're literally just throwing money at the wall and wishing something will stick.

at my current employer they are mandating AI be used by every department. didn't say how or what the goal was, just "use it or get fired". last year it became a KPI.

so far this year, we're $13m behind projected goals. labor is down 15% because we stopped hiring people. productivity is down 30% because the ones that remain are getting burnt out by the increased workload.

I have hourly techs tell me they are being encouraged to work off the clock.

2026 is going to be worse than 2025, even if the bubble pops.