Meta, Apple Poised to Thrive in AI Landscape, Ives Says

Dan Ives, founder of Yorkville Ives, pushed back on the recent selloff in software stocks, calling the 'SaaS apocalypse' a 'fictional narrative'. This term describes investors' fear that powerful AI models and autonomous agents could replace traditional subscription software, driving down demand, pricing power, and the value of seat-based SaaS products.

Ives pointed to Meta Platforms (META) as the leading beneficiary of the shifting AI landscape. He said Meta is unlikely to slow its AI push even if OpenAI and Anthropic pull back, citing that the comments came ahead of the company's Meta Connect 2026 event next week.

'When you get to the top, you don't stop the elevator for others coming up,' Ives said. 'Instead, they're going to be in a Ferrari left lane going 100 miles an hour because that just enables them to narrow the gap.'

Ives extended his argument to Apple (AAPL), saying companies with large existing user bases have an advantage in turning AI investments into revenue.