Thakker questions the inference drawn from Slok's charts
Yash ThakkerFounder and writer at explainx.ai
Thakker does not dispute Slok's charts but argues that flat aggregate figures cannot isolate AI's effects. He says that caution also applies to claims that AI caused the largest tech companies' gains, and reads Slok's zero-payoff claim as an aggregate financial claim.
“flat S&P 493 numbers do not prove AI has no effect”
Analysis
Where this statement fits
Slok says AI has no payoff outside tech; DeLong challenges his measure
Torsten Slok says AI has delivered no financial payoff outside tech, citing revenue, margins and productivity measures. Brad DeLong accepts the flat corporate series but argues that user benefits and new firms may matter more. He also questions whether those benefits justify current valuations.
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Thakker discusses the limits of using aggregate revenue and margin charts to isolate AI's financial effects. He applies the same causal caution to claims about gains at the largest technology companies.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Thakker discusses Slok's charts comparing the Magnificent Seven with the S&P 493.
After the quotation
He applies the same causal caution to claims that AI produced the largest technology companies gains.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Thakker challenges the inference that aggregate S&P493 figures isolate AI's financial contribution, while leaving the charted observations undisputed.
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More from this case
Read the full caseDeLong points to benefits outside the profit measures
“User surplus, which I think is massive.”Read statement
Slok says AI has produced no financial payoff outside tech
“the technology has delivered zero financial payoff to corporate America outside of tech.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Thakker questions the inference drawn from Slok's charts". First published: 2026-10-26. Last updated: 2026-10-26. https://disputeindex.com/events/6828-thakker-does-not-dispute-slok-s-charts-but