Google goes from laggard to leader as it pulls ahead of OpenAI with stellar AI growth

Recent coverage suggests the market’s “AI leadership” narrative can change quickly when companies combine distribution, product shipping cadence, and capital investment.

What to know

• This is less about a single model and more about scale: rollout, infrastructure, and product placement.
• AI spending is increasingly treated as a strategic signal (and a risk) on earnings calls.
• The competitive lens is shifting from demos to sustainable capacity and margins.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/google-goes-laggard-leader-it-pulls-ahead-openai-with-stellar-ai-growth-2026-02-05/