Akamai Technologies, the company that helps deliver and secure much of the world's internet traffic, is getting a boost from artificial intelligence—but not in the way you might think. According to investment research firm Oppenheimer, the company's third-quarter results, due out on November 5, could land near the top of its own guidance. The driver isn't a new AI product; it's the surge in AI-powered bots and the security needs that come with them.
What's driving the lift?
Oppenheimer's analysts said Tuesday that their checks with industry contacts suggest Akamai is benefiting from AI crawlers—automated programs that scan websites and apps to gather data, often for training AI models. These bots consume significant bandwidth, and they can also pose security risks if they're malicious. As traffic from these crawlers increases, Akamai's customers often hit usage thresholds sooner, pushing them into higher service tiers. They then add on tools like Bot Manager and API security to filter out bad traffic.
This is a classic example of an "AI-adjacent" benefit: the technology isn't a standalone revenue line, but it's driving demand for existing services. For Akamai, that means more data flowing through its network and more customers paying for premium security features.
Why it matters for investors
For everyday investors, this news is a reminder that AI's impact on companies isn't always visible in a single, shiny product. Sometimes it shows up in the plumbing—the infrastructure that makes AI possible. Akamai is a key part of that plumbing, delivering content and protecting websites from attacks.
Oppenheimer's expectation that Akamai will beat or hit the top of its guidance is a positive signal, but it's worth noting that the company's growth is coming from increased usage and add-on sales, not a dramatic new offering. That's a more gradual, steady kind of growth, which can be reassuring for investors looking for stability.
It also highlights a broader trend: as AI becomes more widespread, companies that provide the underlying infrastructure—whether it's cloud computing, data centers, or content delivery networks—stand to benefit. This is similar to how OpenAI's revenue ambitions depend on massive computing power, which in turn drives demand for infrastructure providers.
What to watch next
When Akamai reports on November 5, investors will be watching several things. First, whether the company's revenue and earnings come in at the high end of its guidance, as Oppenheimer predicts. Second, how management frames the AI opportunity—whether they see it as a lasting tailwind or a temporary bump. Third, any updates on customer growth and retention, especially among large enterprises that are heavy users of AI.
It's also worth keeping an eye on the broader tech earnings season. Big banks have already kicked off earnings season, and tech companies like Akamai will offer clues about the health of the digital economy. If AI-driven traffic continues to grow, it could bode well for other infrastructure players as well.
The bigger picture
Akamai's situation is a microcosm of how AI is reshaping the tech landscape. The hype around AI often focuses on flashy applications, but the real money is sometimes made in the unglamorous layers: bandwidth, security, and data delivery. For investors, that means looking beyond the obvious AI names and considering the companies that enable AI to function.
Oppenheimer's note is a positive sign, but it's not a guarantee. The company still faces competition from cloud giants and other content delivery networks. And while AI crawlers are boosting traffic now, it's unclear how sustainable that trend will be. Still, for now, Akamai appears to be in a sweet spot, benefiting from the AI wave without having to invent a new product to do so.
As always, investors should do their own research and consider how Akamai fits into their overall portfolio. The November 5 report will provide more clarity, but the early signals are encouraging.
