Software stocks face real pressure from AI disruption. Major SaaS companies like Adobe, Salesforce, and ServiceNow have experienced significant sell-offs as artificial intelligence lowers barriers to entry for new competitors and threatens the subscription-based revenue model. The industry risks shifting toward usage-based pricing, fundamentally changing profitability dynamics. However, Adobe's strong Q1 earnings and industry-standard status suggest some companies possess defensible moats. Investors considering "buying the dip" must conduct thorough qualitative analysis beyond historical price patterns. The AI boom differs fundamentally from the 1990s internet era due to centralized corporate control of AI models. Market uncertainty demands a margin of safety approach before committing capital to software sector positions.
