The New York Post reports that AI-related investment is the single major factor preventing a sharper US economic downturn, arguing that without it growth metrics would be substantially weaker. The article cites rising gasoline prices linked to the Iran war and consumer strain as negative forces, and quotes Strategas Research Partners strategist Jason Trennert saying, “If it weren’t for the war, we would be talking about a reacceleration in the economy.” The piece also cites recent labor data, noting unemployment claims under 200,000 and payrolls up 178,000 in March, and states corporate profits remain strong. The author expresses skepticism about alarmist predictions of an imminent AI bubble burst.