According to an IMF annual report cited by Gelonghui on September 25, external estimates suggest that global artificial intelligence investment driven by the private sector could surpass $2 trillion in 2026, making it one of the strongest drivers of economic growth in recent years.

In the United States, AI-related technology investment is estimated to have boosted GDP growth by 0.5 percentage points in 2025. The US productivity growth rate has accelerated in recent years, and the IMF believes this may partly reflect the early effects of AI adoption.

Asia also occupies an important position in this wave of AI investment. The report notes that East Asia is a key global center for chip manufacturing and design, while Southeast Asia is leveraging its manufacturing advantages to further elevate its position in global value chains.

However, the IMF also cautions that the AI investment boom carries risks. As the scale of related investment continues to expand, some high-cost projects are increasingly relying on debt financing. If future investment returns fall short of expectations, this could lead to asset price adjustments, wealth losses, and corporate layoffs.