Uber's AI Spending Under Fire as Token Consumption Surges Without Clear Return on Investment

Uber is reevaluating its AI spending after reporting exhaustion of its annual budget just four months into 2026, leaving investors wondering if the company is seeing meaningful returns on investment in artificial intelligence. In a recent interview, Uber president and chief operating officer Andrew Macdonald acknowledged that the connection between rising token consumption for Claude Code and delivery of useful features to consumers remains unclear. The lack of a clear link has raised concerns about the effectiveness of AI investments at the ride-hailing giant. Macdonald noted that while it appears more features are being shipped, it is challenging to establish a direct correlation between these developments and tangible benefits for consumers. This ambiguity has led some to question whether Uber’s AI spending is providing sufficient value to justify its expenses.