IMF: Global AI Investment Could Exceed $2 Trillion in 2026, Reliance on Debt Financing Expands in Tandem

Odaily News - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its latest annual report, citing external estimates that global artificial intelligence (AI) investment led by the private sector could exceed $2 trillion this year, making it one of the strongest drivers of economic growth in recent years.

The report notes that AI-related technology investment is estimated to have contributed 0.5 percentage points to US GDP growth in 2025, and the acceleration in US productivity growth in recent years partly reflects the early positive impact of AI applications. However, the report also warns of hidden concerns behind the AI investment boom. As the scale of related infrastructure and projects continues to expand, some high-cost investments are increasingly reliant on debt financing. If future returns fall short of expectations, it could trigger a chain reaction including significant asset valuation adjustments, wealth shrinkage, and corporate layoffs.