Are ‘FAANG’ companies losing their crown in the tech world?:Meet ‘MANGOS,’ the new buzzword taking over as AI reshapes the dynamics

For years, tech workers had one dream: get hired by a FAANG company. Landing a job at Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix or Google was seen as the ultimate achievement in the tech industry. These companies dominated the internet era, offered some of the highest salaries, and were behind many of the products people use every day. But technology is entering a new phase. Artificial intelligence is now at the centre of innovation, and a new acronym is beginning to grab attention online: MANGOS. Many developers and investors believe these are the companies leading the AI revolution and shaping what the future of technology will look like. What is MANGOS? MANGOS stands for Meta, Anthropic, Nvidia, Google, OpenAI, and SpaceX. These companies may come from different sectors, but they share one thing in common: they are all heavily involved in building the technologies powering the AI boom. Why is everyone talking about it? The term MANGOS recently exploded on social media after being promoted by developers Krishna B. and @lilscoot on X. What started as an online discussion quickly turned into a larger debate about whether the era of FAANG is slowly giving way to a new generation of tech giants. Many users joked that software engineers may soon stop dreaming about FAANG jobs and start aiming for MANGOS instead. The timing is also interesting. Several AI-focused companies are entering important growth phases. OpenAI and Anthropic are moving closer to public listings, while SpaceX is expected to attract significant investor attention. Together, these firms represent some of the most influential companies in the rapidly expanding AI industry. A quick look back at FAANG The FAANG acronym was popularised by financial commentator Jim Cramer in 2013. It referred to Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google. These companies became symbols of the smartphone and internet boom that defined the 2010s. They transformed industries such as social media, e-commerce, streaming and online advertising, while also becoming some of the most valuable companies in the world. For investors, FAANG stocks were considered growth machines. For software engineers, they were dream workplaces. Also read: India’s first AI data centre to be built in Jamnagar: Meta partners with Reliance; could this project impact the environment?

Why MANGOS is gaining momentum Today, the biggest excitement is around AI models, powerful computing systems, advanced chips, robotics and automation. Nvidia has become one of the world’s most valuable companies because its chips are essential for training AI systems. OpenAI and Anthropic are competing to build increasingly powerful AI models. Meta and Google are spending billions of dollars every year to stay ahead in the AI race. Even SpaceX, although not traditionally seen as an AI company, is becoming increasingly important because of the infrastructure it is building through rockets, satellites, and global connectivity projects. Together, these companies are helping build the foundation of the AI era. What happened to the other FAANG members? One reason MANGOS is generating attention is that not every FAANG company is viewed as a leader in artificial intelligence. Apple’s AI challenges Apple remains one of the most valuable companies in the world, but it has faced criticism for moving slower than rivals in generative AI. Delays surrounding AI upgrades for Siri have raised questions about whether the company is falling behind in the race. Amazon’s different approach
Amazon is investing heavily in AI, particularly through its cloud business AWS. However, it is not seen as a consumer-facing AI leader in the same way as OpenAI, Google or Anthropic. Netflix stays focused on streaming Netflix continues to dominate streaming entertainment, but it plays a relatively small role in the AI conversation currently driving Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Also read: Starlink’s India dreams face new trouble: Why Elon Musk’s satellite internet service frozen by the Ministry of Home Affairs

Why isn’t Microsoft in MANGOS? Microsoft’s absence from the acronym has surprised many people. The company has invested heavily in AI and is a major partner of OpenAI.
However, supporters of the MANGOS idea argue that the spotlight is currently on companies building the core technologies behind AI, including foundational models, specialised chips and large-scale infrastructure. While Microsoft remains one of the most important players in the AI ecosystem, some believe companies like Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are attracting more attention because of their direct role in creating the technology powering today’s AI boom. Is MANGOS the new FAANG? It is still too early to say whether MANGOS will replace FAANG completely. FAANG companies continue to be among the world’s most powerful businesses and generate enormous profits. However, the rise of MANGOS reflects a larger shift happening across the technology industry. The companies capturing the most attention today are those building the tools, infrastructure, and intelligence that could define the next decade.