# Cloudflare and Lovable CEOs Warn of AI Investment Overreach Tech leaders at Web Summit 2026 highlight the urgent need for concrete financial returns. - **Source:** [ECO](https://eco.sapo.pt) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a2db1605-737b-4c3f-972a-cc62ad22b515 ## AI Investment Sustainability Concerns Tech leaders at the Web Summit 2026 opening in Lisbon expressed skepticism regarding current AI spending levels. Matthew Prince of Cloudflare and Anton Osika of Lovable argued that the industry is shifting from pure excitement toward a demand for tangible financial returns. They warned that unsustainable business models face imminent market consolidation. ## Financial Engineering Versus Innovation Matthew Prince criticized the prevalence of financial engineering over genuine technical innovation in the sector. He noted that some companies currently sell services for fifty cents that cost one dollar to produce. This strategy is deemed unsustainable, suggesting that only firms prioritizing strict cost control and operational discipline will survive the upcoming phase. ## Consolidation of Neocloud Infrastructure Cloud infrastructure companies, often referred to as neoclouds, are expected to face significant consolidation. Prince stated that many of these firms expanded too rapidly without the necessary engineering excellence to support their growth. He predicted that several of these entities will fail to survive as the market demands more rigorous performance standards. ## Shift in Market Expectations Anton Osika observed that the public discourse surrounding artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed. While early interest focused on technological capabilities, companies now prioritize the concrete value derived from AI adoption. This transition reflects broader concerns regarding how these technologies provide actual benefits to daily life and the overall stability of financial markets. ## Security Vulnerabilities and AI Prince addressed the rising security risks on the internet, noting that AI is not the cause but rather a tool for discovery. He cited a fifteen-year-old PHP vulnerability recently exposed by AI tools. While he expects more incidents in the next two years, he believes this process will ultimately lead to a more secure internet. ## Redefining Professional Competencies Tao Zhang of Manus AI emphasized that companies no longer seek employees solely for task execution. Instead, the focus has shifted toward professionals who can effectively collaborate with AI agents. Manus AI has already adapted its recruitment process, replacing traditional coding tests with four-hour practical sessions using their own AI software to evaluate collaboration. ## Autonomous AI Agent Evolution The Manus 2.0 release, launched in late September, allows AI agents to operate with their own digital identities, phone numbers, and email addresses. These agents can now manage communications, perform purchases, and coordinate tasks across platforms like Slack. Zhang compares this functionality to a personal chief of staff managing complex daily workflows. ## Future of Organizational Structure Internal operations at Manus AI reflect a move away from rigid job titles. Marketing and product staff now write code, while designers participate in software development. This collaborative model, supported by autonomous agents, represents a broader trend where companies prioritize cross-functional agility over traditional hierarchies to maintain competitiveness in an AI-driven economy. ## Sources covering this story - https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/11/09/cloudflare-e-lovable-alertam-para-excessos-no-investimento-em-ia-e-antecipam-consolidacao/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._