Tech Report: U.S. business investment climbs on AI spending as Amazon warns of holiday cyber scams

Business investment in the U.S. climbed for the third month in a row in September, boosted largely by increased spending on artificial intelligence.

(LILAMAX)- Business investment in the U.S. climbed for the third month in a row in September, boosted largely by increased spending on artificial intelligence. Despite the momentum, analysts say the broader industrial side of the economy continues to show only mild signs of recovery.

New data shows orders for durable goods rose last month, driven in part by a surge in military contracting — one of the few bright spots in an otherwise uneven manufacturing landscape.

Meanwhile, Amazon is warning its more than 300 million customers to stay alert during the holiday shopping season. The company says cybercriminals are increasingly impersonating Amazon representatives, a trend echoed by the FBI, which reports online thieves have stolen nearly $300 million this year by taking over victims’ accounts. Amazon urges consumers to avoid responding to suspicious messages, especially social-media ads or unofficial requests for payment information.

As retailers roll out holiday savings, Target, Walmart, Aldi, and Lidl are offering some of the lowest seasonal meal prices in years. For shoppers looking to stretch budgets even further, several apps and AI tools are gaining traction. Platforms like Grocery Pal, Basket, Boxed, and Flipp help consumers compare circular ads, locate digital coupons, and identify the best deals nearby.

In the workforce, a new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicates artificial intelligence is already capable of replacing 11.7% of the U.S. labor market. Tasks most vulnerable include routine roles within human resources, logistics, finance, and administrative operations. Researchers say AI-exposed occupations appear across all 50 states — including inland and rural regions.