According to CNBC, software stocks plunged deeper into a sell-off on Thursday, March 20, 2025, driven by intensifying fears that artificial intelligence will disrupt traditional business models. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) dropped roughly 5% in morning trading, putting it on track for its largest single-day decline since last April. This specific ETF is now down about 21% from its recent peak, officially pushing the software sector into bear market territory. The sharp move highlights how quickly investor sentiment has turned against this once-beloved Wall Street industry. Notably, ServiceNow saw its shares plunge 11% during the session, even as the company was present at Nvidia’s GPU Technology Conference in San Jose.
AI Disruption or Just Excuses?
Here’s the thing: the narrative of “AI disruption” is a convenient catch-all for a market that got way too expensive, way too fast. Investors are using it as a blanket reason to sell, but the real issue might be simpler. Software valuations had been pricing in perfection for years. Now, with higher interest rates making future profits less valuable, the entire sector was a coiled spring. AI fear is just the trigger that released the tension. It’s a classic case of the market finding a story to justify a move that was probably overdue.
The ServiceNow Paradox
Look at ServiceNow. It’s down 11% while literally being at Nvidia’s conference. That’s the market screaming, “We don’t care if you’re trying to play the AI game—we think it’s a threat, not an opportunity.” This is the core of the fear. Investors are asking a brutal question: Will AI-native startups build cheaper, better alternatives to the entrenched SaaS giants? Or will those giants, like ServiceNow, successfully reinvent themselves? The market is betting, at least for now, on the former. And that’s a huge shift in thinking.
A Reality Check for SaaS
So what does this mean? Basically, the era of paying top dollar for any company with a “software-as-a-service” label is over. The bear market is forcing a brutal differentiation. Companies that own proprietary data or have workflows deeply embedded in their clients’ operations will likely weather the storm. The ones selling generic productivity tools or me-too CRMs? They’re in serious trouble. This isn’t just an AI story; it’s a long-needed shakeout. The easy money is gone, and now we see who’s actually building a durable business. Frankly, it’s healthy, even if it’s painful to watch.
