The ‘Big 7’ prop up the U.S. stock market, accounting for a third of its value. Their sky-high valuations rely on a ‘growth’ narrative—if that fades, their stocks could crash.

Google deliberately worsened search results to keep users viewing more ads, as recent research revealed. A WSJ investigation found Meta knowingly lets criminal advertisers flourish, fearing a stock drop if it cracks down.

Now, AI firms are the market’s new darlings. Under similar pressure to deceive, what happens when they wield the most powerful tech ever?