Grantham Warns of 'Epic Bubble' in AI Valuations
Locales: UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM

Boston, MA - February 3rd, 2026 - Jeremy Grantham, the renowned co-founder of investment firm GMO, is sounding the alarm on the valuations of leading artificial intelligence companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX, labeling them as an "epic bubble" poised to burst. Grantham, a veteran investor known for accurately predicting major market crashes like the dot-com bubble and the 2008 housing crisis, argues that current market enthusiasm for these firms is divorced from financial reality and unsustainable in the long run.
Speaking to financial news outlets today, Grantham detailed his concerns, emphasizing that while AI technology holds immense potential, the current valuations assigned to companies developing it are driven by speculative fervor rather than justifiable fundamentals. "We're seeing a replay of familiar patterns," Grantham stated. "The excitement, the media coverage, the sheer volume of money flowing into these companies - it all screams bubble. Investors are prioritizing the story over the substance, and that rarely ends well."
The core of Grantham's argument centers on the massive disconnect between projected future revenues and current stock prices. He believes the market is significantly overestimating the speed and scale at which AI will translate into substantial profits. While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI across various industries - from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and transportation - Grantham insists that the real-world impact will likely be more gradual and less revolutionary than currently anticipated. He questions whether the current aggressive growth projections baked into these companies' valuations are realistic, particularly considering the substantial capital investment required to develop and deploy AI technologies at scale.
Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX are specifically highlighted as prime examples of this inflated valuation phenomenon. Anthropic, known for its focus on AI safety and its Claude series of large language models, has seen its private market valuation soar in recent years. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and DALL-E, has captivated the public imagination with its generative AI capabilities, fueling investor interest. SpaceX, while a broader technology and space exploration company, increasingly relies on AI for autonomous spacecraft control, rocket landing optimization, and satellite communication, thus attracting AI-focused investment.
"These companies are doing impressive work," Grantham conceded. "But impressive work doesn't automatically translate to a justifiable market capitalization. We've seen this before. The early days of the internet were filled with innovative companies, but only a handful ultimately delivered on their promise. Many others crashed and burned." He suggests that the current AI frenzy is similarly characterized by excessive optimism and a lack of critical assessment.
The warning from Grantham comes amidst growing concerns from other market analysts about the escalating valuations of AI-related stocks. While not all agree on the timing or severity of a potential correction, a consensus is forming that the current levels are unsustainable. Several reports have indicated that institutional investors are increasingly cautious about entering new positions in high-flying AI stocks, fearing a bubble pop. The recent volatility in the broader tech sector further underlines these concerns.
Grantham's analysis also extends to the venture capital landscape, where funding for AI startups has reached record highs. He believes that a significant portion of this capital is being deployed based on hype and "fear of missing out" (FOMO), rather than rigorous due diligence. This influx of speculative capital, he argues, is further exacerbating the bubble.
"At some point, the music will stop," Grantham warned. "Reality will inevitably intervene. These stocks will experience a substantial correction, and those who bought in at inflated prices will likely face significant losses. It's not a question of if this will happen, but when." He advises investors to adopt a cautious approach, focusing on companies with solid fundamentals, sustainable business models, and realistic growth expectations. He advocates for a value investing strategy, prioritizing long-term value over short-term speculation. While acknowledging the potential of AI, Grantham insists that a responsible investment approach requires separating genuine innovation from unsustainable hype.
Read the Full Business Insider Article at:
[ https://www.businessinsider.com/ipo-anthropic-openai-spacex-tech-stocks-outlook-gmo-jeremy-grantham-2026-2 ]