# Alphabet Inc.’s Google is seeing a clear payoff from its AI spending, while Meta Platforms Inc. is lagging behind.

*semiconductor · news · 2026-04-30 · The Boston Globe*

## Key points

- Alphabet's Google Cloud recorded $20 billion in sales last quarter, beating expectations by $1.6 billion.
- Google's cloud backlog doubled quarter-over-quarter to over $460 billion, signaling surging AI demand.
- Meta increased capital expenditures to as much as $145 billion but reported lower AI product engagement.
- Microsoft's Copilot AI tools now have 20 million paid seats, up 5 million since the previous quarter.
- Amazon's cloud revenue grew 28 percent, the fastest rate since Q2 2022, aided by Anthropic partnerships.

**Companies:** Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp.
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on The Boston Globe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/30/business/alphabet-amazon-meta-microsoft-ai-earnings/)

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